A Community Space for All

SPRING 2023

A COMMUNITY SPACE FOR ALL

Sunset Park 日落公园

Design and Urban Ecologies in collaboration with Voces Ciudadanas

Credits & Acknowledgement

Organzing and Outreach Coordinators

Victoria Quiroz-Becerra, Co-director at Voces Ciudadanas

Javier Salamanca, Co-director at Voces Ciudadanas

Antelma Valdéz, Program Coordinator at Voces Ciudadanas

Participatory-Action Research Coordinator

Gabriela Rendón, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Community Development at Parsons School of Design, The New School

Research Team

Melissa Bosley, Beka Fadila, Daniela Fernandez López, Mae Francke Rojo, Gracia Goh, Sofia Kavlin, Lukas Kernke, and Alex Purcelli

Graphic Design

Translation

Editing

Iconography

Gracia Goh, Beka Fadila, and Daniela Fernandez López

Daniela Fernandez López, Mae Francke Rojo, Gracia Goh, and Sofia Kavlin

Mae Francke Rojo, Melissa Bosley, Sofia Kavlin, Lukas Kernke, and Alex Purcelli

Some of the icons included in the report were developed by Iconoclasistas (iconoclasistas.net)

We want to thank the civic groups and community organizations that participated in the community workshops, meetings and assemblies organized as part of this project; Beyond Care Cooperative, Brooklyn Community Services, Center for Family Life, Chinese-American Planning Council, Coalición Mexicana, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Visión Futuro, PS 516 PTA, PS 94 PTA, Sanctuary for Families, South Brooklyn Mutual Aid, United Community Consulting, United Families of Sunset Park, and United Tenants of Brooklyn, and Community Board 7. We want to express special thanks to Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes and Councilwoman Alexa Aviles as well as their staff members for their support as well as the Community Board 7 and the Sunset Park Public Library for allowing us to use their space and equipment.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to team up with Voces Ciudadanas and for being able to use their space. We want to thank Javier Salamanca, Victoria Quiroz-Becerra, and Antelma Valdéz for their generosity, their support, and their valuable organizing and outreach work. Last, but not least, we want to express our appreciation for the commitment and care offered by the volunteers from Voces Ciudadanas involved in the community activities, special thanks to Britney Espinoza, Laura Espinoza, Maria Guzmán, Yesenia Hernandez, Manuel Martínez, Martha Saldivar, Teresa Saldivar, Isaura Oropeza, Juliana Salas, and Alicia Torres.

Copyrights

Introduction

Part I: Sunset Park

Understanding The Neighborhood: Demographics and Needs

From Local Economies to Gentrification: A Look at The Economic Landscape

Uniting for Change: Local Groups and Non-Profit Organizations in Action

Part II: Sunset Park Public Library

Past, Present and Future of Sunset Park Library

Interim Sunset Park Public Library

Part III: Envisioning The Future Of The Interim Sunset Park Library

Collecting Local Visions: Voces Ciudadanas Community Survey

Identifying Collaborators: Collective Mapping through a Sociogram

Amplifying Neighborhood Voices: Oral Histories in Community Organizing

Imagining

Part IV: Defining The Community Program And Spatial Organization

Envisioning A Community Space for All

Defining a Possible Community Program

Translating Community Program into the Space

Imagining Spatial Possibilities

Part V: Activating the Space

Introduction

In the Summer of 2022, Voces Ciudadanas began organizing Sunset Park’s immigrant community to keep the space the local public library is temporarily using while the new library is constructed.

Located at 4201 4th Avenue, the temporal space is currently owned and occupied partially by the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Formerly a Court House, the building was constructed in 1931 and has undergone several alterations since then. In 2001, the building got a landmark designation by the Landmarks Preservation Commission of the City of New York. After hosting the Community Board 7’s office and meetings for years, the south side of the space got renovated and activated to also host the temporal public library.

As the new public library is completed, residents and community leaders are coming together to imagine a new program for the space by and for the community.

As expansion into working-class and immigrant neighborhoods become the method to alleviate New York City’s housing crises, luxury apartments and new businesses are adding up to already dense and overcrowded districts, putting pressure on schools, public, and community spaces. The new developments and investments are increasing land and home values. Minority-owned local businesses and long-time low-income tenants are now at risk of displacement while structural inequalities become more evident. Responding to these conditions, impacted residents are finding ways to protect and create spaces where they can thrive in the neighborhood they call home. Across the city, community groups have identified and claimed vacant and underutilized public buildings to provide permanently affordable housing, long-needed community spaces, and community services in their neighborhoods. They have also envisioned solutions including community land trusts and other management models allowing community control and stewardship.

In the Fall of 2022, members of Voces Ciudadanas and other community leaders began conversations with public officials about the fate of the soonto-be empty space. The NYPD agreed to look at community proposals to consider keeping the south side of the building for community use. Voces Ciudadanas continued reaching out to residents and community leaders to learn about their needs and wants through a survey that had reached over 800 participants. Considering a scheduled plan to open the new public library over the summer of 2023, leaders of the organization invited faculty and graduate students from the MS Design and Urban Ecologies program at Parsons School of Design to collaborate in the visioning and design process.

In the Spring of 2023, this community-university partnership began with a transdisciplinary group of students: Melissa Bosley, Beka Fadila, Daniela Fernández López, Mae Francke Rojo, Gracia Goh, Sofia Kavlin, Lukas Kernke, and Alex Purcelli. Under the leadership of Gabriela Rendón, Associate Professor of Urban Planning and Community Development, the academic group drafted a work plan from January to May.

The plan involved a participatory-action research process involving a series of phases. Combining popular and academic knowledges, participatoryaction research values the importance of knowledge oriented towards transforming situations of inequality while recognizing the agency of people as full actors in the research and intervention processes

From January to March, Phase 1 involving “Building & Sharing Knowledge” to learn about the community’s needs, priorities and visioins was developed in collaboration with Voces Ciudadanas’ team and volunteers.

Three main participatory activities took place. The first one was the production of a Sunset Park Sociogram to collectively map the social relations of the community and identify potential collaborators. A community workshop was organized where about 30 community members participated —residents and community leaders.

Sociogram

Participatory Activities

Oral History Public Faculty

The second one was the creation of the Voces Ciudadanas Oral History Project. This ongoing endeavor seeks to unearth the voices and memories of Brooklyn’s Sunset Park residents who have been involved in creating community spaces for the benefit of all. Its goal is to foster community learning from past strategies, methods, and motivations to inform future imaginaries and concrete possibilities leading to the creation of new community spaces to address structural inequalities. Lastly, the research team organized a Public Faculty, a participatory technique involving radical listening through interventions in public spaces. With the help of volunteers from Voces Ciudadanas, the voices of over 80 community members were collected, inscribed in small pieces of fabric, and connected with yarn. Residents’ needs and imaginaries were woven in public as a gesture of unity and empowerment.

The outcomes of the first phase of the participatory action-research process were shared with community members and leaders in late March and used for the following two phases which were carried out from March to May. Phase 2 was developed “Envisioning & Proposing” the new community program and the organization of the space. It was followed by phase 3, “Strategizing & Structuring” the stewarding model and financial framework for the space.

As part of phase 2 and 3, an in-person community assembly, an online community forum, as well as informal conversations were residents, civic groups, and community organizations participated took place. The aim of such meetings and conversations was for people to shape the new program and vision for the space. The outcomes of these phases are presented in this report as well as the next steps to follow.

Methods Quantative Research

The quantitative data used in this report is drawn from the U.S. Decennial Census from the years 2010 and 2020, and from American Community Survey (ACS) from 2006-2010 and 2016-2020. While the Census is an exact count of information reported by households throughout the United States, the American Community Survey is an estimate based on survey responses collected over a period of time.

The 2016-2020 American Community Survey, for example, shows data collected from surveys submitted between 2016 and 2020. The American Community Survey, being an estimate rather than an exact count, also has a margin of error. Whenever possible data is drawn from the census tract level. Spatial data was mapped using R Studio, with the same sources as mentioned above.

Statistical data corresponding to Sunset Park was collected combining the following census tracts: 2, 20, 22, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90.01, 90.02, 92.01, 92.02, 94.01, 94.02, 96, 98, 100, 101, 102,

108.01, 108.02, 118, 122, 143, 145, 147.

Qualitative Research Research Areas

The techniques used to collect qualitative data were Oral History Interviews, Public Faculty and Sociograms. All of these techniques are participatory forms of research. These research methods engage the community as active participants in the process of research. This differs from many other forms of research in which knowledge is simply meant to be extracted from subjects. This inclusivity is empowering; the community is an equal part in the creation of knowledge about them.

Sunset Park is located in Community District 7 in Brooklyn. This research project involves the area from the Prospect Expressway to 65th Street and from 9th Avenue to the industrial waterfront. To be more specific, in covers the area of the following census tracts: 2, 20, 22, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90.01, 90.02, 92.01, 92.02, 94.01, 94.02, 96, 98, 100, 101, 102, 104.01, 104.02, 106.01, 106.02, 108.01, 108.02, 118, 122, 143, 145, 147.

Community District 7 in Layers

Parks & Green Spaces

Residential & Industrial Areas

Census Tracts

Base Map

Subway Lines

Sunset Park

THIS PROJECT FOCUSES ON SUNSET PARK, a vibrant working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn that has been shaped by both global and local economic forces and a continual influx of immigrants over the past century. Despite facing significant challenges, the community has managed to thrive and contribute to the development and economy of both the neighborhood and New York City as a whole.

The area’s history dates back to the 1600s when Dutch settlers arrived and established farmsteads along the waterfront. As New York City’s port industry began to grow, Sunset Park played a crucial role in its development, attracting immigrants from all over Europe, including Finns, Norwegians, Germans, Italians, Polish, and Irish. These early immigrants built institutions such as churches and hospitals that continue to serve the community today, although their demographics have shifted significantly.

After a period of economic prosperity, Sunset Park experienced a gradual economic and urban decline due to factors such as the deindustrialization of the waterfront, “white flight” to the suburbs, and the fiscal crisis that hit New York City in the 1970s. During this time, the Puerto Rican community, which had been present since the 1940s, grew and diversified with the arrival of immigrants from Latin America and Asia. Immigration reform in the second half of the twentieth century helped revive the neighborhood and transform it from a predominantly white immigrant community to a multi-ethnic one.

Today, with its vast waterfront and proximity to lower Manhattan, Sunset Park remains an attractive destination for newcomers and continues to be a dynamic and thriving community in Brooklyn. Overpriced residents from Manhattan and wealthy areas of Brooklyn are moving in seeking affordable housing opportunities and creating undesirable outcomes such as realestate speculation and gentrification. Sunset Park’s changes include new housing developments and creative industries that are threatening the existence of the local immigrant communities.

Despite community activism has been active in protecting the industrial waterfront and guaranteeing basic services for the local immigrant population, Sunset Park’s residents are facing new challenges. The impact of global and local investment is rising property values and putting long-time immigrant tenants, small businesses, and workplaces at risk of displacement. In addition, population growth and rising inequality are adding pressure on community spaces and services. Such conditions have unified those impacted in the community and urge them to work together to preserve its unique character and history.

Voces Ciudadanas

In 2016, Voces Ciudadanas launched the Make Space for Quality Schools campaign to address school overcrowding in the Sunset Park neighborhood. Through a series of efforts, including surveys, marches, demonstrations, and public hearings, the coalition of organizations organized by Voces Ciudadanas successfully pressured the School Construction Authority and the Department of Education to construct five new schools in the area.

Since then, Voces Ciudadanas has continued to actively work on creating community spaces for local immigrant communities to address the increasing inequalities in the neighborhood. Their commitment and determination have been a great inspiration to all of those who have collaborated with them in the past. Their new campaign to keep the Interim Sunset Park Public Library as a vital community resource is uniting again the community in search of a better future for all.

Source: Make Space for Quality Schools in Sunset Park, Facebook.

18 July 2018

Understanding the Neighborhood: Demographics and Needs

Sunset Park Over Time

Sunset Park is a historically immigrant neighborhood with a majority of its population composed of Asian or Hispanic residents. In the last decade, Sunset Park experienced a 5% growth in their population, which is in line with the average increase at the borough and city level. This growth in population was experienced differently in relationship to racial and ethnic characteristics, primarily by Asian and White residents – the latter being an indicator of growing gentrification in the neighborhood.

Population Change Between 1980 – 2020

MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY are steadily increasing in Sunset Park, and at a much higher rate than members of the Hispanic community. The graph shown below shows the racial changes in demographics, with both the Asian and Hispanic populations growing consistently in the last 50 years. However, this trend is starting to change in recent years, given that the previous figure shows a steady and significant increase in Asian populations, with a 20% increase in the last decade, while Hispanic residents have actually decreased in recent years, showing a 7% reduction since 2010. This is approximately 4,000 people from the Hispanic community that have left Sunset Park.

On the other hand, the percentage of White population has also grown in Sunset Park in recent years: while “white flight” created a drastic reduction in previous decades, since 2010 there has been a slight growth –corresponding to a 4% increase– due mainly to gentrifying forces moving south from northern Brooklyn (Gowanus and Park Slope).

SUNSET PARK IS CHARACTERIZED BY a slightly larger than average young population. While the percentage of adults in Sunset Park is similar to that of the borough and New York City as a whole, the percentage of people under 18 years-old is higher. Underage people make up 24% of Sunset Park, but only 22% of Brooklyn and 20% of New York City. Likewise, Sunset park also has a smaller elderly population with 11% being 65 years and over, while Brooklyn has a 14% and NYC a 15% average.

Population By Age Groups

Race & Ethnicity

SUNSET PARK IS A CULTURALLY rich and diverse, predominantly immigrant neighborhood. Home primarily to Asian and Hispanic populations, together they make up 82% of the population of Sunset Park, while White populations make up 14% in comparison.

While the Hispanic community is still the largest ethnic demographic group within Sunset Park, representing 41% of the total population, the Asian community follows closely behind with 40%, further confirming the trend of the population increase of the Asian community. As shown before, Hispanic populations have decreased in the last ten years, while the Asian population keeps growing at a fast rate. Within these ethnic populations, the regions where immigrants are coming from are mainly Mexico and China.

Race & Ethnicity

Hispanic Subgroups

Asian Subgroups

When observing the spatial distribution of racial and ethnic populations in the neighborhoods, it is clear that these have settled in very distinct patterns. The Hispanic population has settled mainly along the western area of the neighborhood and along 5th avenue, while the Asian population is concentrated in the southeastern part and along 8th avenue.

These are well known cultural and commercial corridors among the residents, which they gravitate towards for comfort and belonging. Many residents state that they feel at home in Sunset Park because they have access to food and products from their home country, as well as specific services catered to their needs (legal aid in their language, tax counseling, etc). In comparison, the White population is concentrated in the northern part of the neighborhood and closer to Windsor Terrace, an area that contains more wealth and further exhibits signs of gentrification spreading from the north.

Population Density by Race

“We always came here to 5th ave. to do some shopping, to do everything. [...] We came to the park, to the pool, to everything. So it was like a place where we felt close, where there was space, where there were resources, where there was also more food, who spoke Spanish.”

Javier Salamanca

ALTHOUGH HALF OF SUNSET PARK’S population is foreign born (49%), there has been a decrease of 12% in the total population of foreign born residents between 2010 and 2020. This trend is not only in Sunset Park but across the borough. The opposite is true at the city level; New York City has seen an increase in its foreign born population, the majority coming from Asia, which tracks with the overall trend of a growing Asian population.

With the number of foreign born residents trending down, the number of naturalized citizens has increased from 2010 and 2020. Sunset Park’s naturalized citizen population has increased by 11% between 2010 and 2020, a trend that could be explained through gentrification and the legacy of Sunset Park as an immigrant enclave, as second and third generations are born from foreign born residents, keeping Sunset Park an immigrant community.

The maps below detail the concentration of foreign born residents in the southeastern area of Sunset Park, and the majority of native born residents concentrated in the northwestern area of Sunset Park. This trend reflects how gentrification is moving south, as one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Brooklyn is north of Sunset Park.

Foreign Born Population

Native Born Population

THE MAJORITY OF SUNSET PARK residents speak a language other than English (see graph below). Although this reflects and highlights the diversity of Sunset Park, it also poses difficulties for residents, such as accessing public resources, jobs, education and community engagement.

According to the2016-2020 American Community Survey, less than half the population of Sunset Park speaks English ‘well’ , and 40% of the residents speak Spanish at home, while 30% speak Chinese. This is much higher than the borough and city average, where only 22% speak English “poorly”, and Spanish and Chinese are spoken at home at a much lower rates.

54.1% of people in the area speak English “poorly“

Languages spoken at home

6.3 % other

29.9 % chinese

23.2 % english

40.6 % spanish

Educational Attainment

SOCIOECONOMIC INEQUALITIES IN SUNSET PARK can also be observed when looking at educational attainment (highest degree earned) in the area. In people of age 25 years and over, nearly 40% have not completed highschool, a rate that is more than twice the borough and city wide averages. This is also reflected in every other attainment level, where Sunset Park averages are much lower than those in Brooklyn and New York.

Educational Attainment among People 25 and Over in Sunset Park

Educational Attainment

Source: Population FactFinder, 2016-2020 *Universe: population 25 years and older

From Local Economies to Gentrification: A Look at The Economic Landscape

Uneven Economic Change

THE STORY OF SUNSET PARK today is one of uneven economic change. Particularly over the last two decades, Sunset Park has been gentrifying. While the whole neighborhood is being affected by this change, it has not been evenly distributed nor does it benefit everyone. Gentrification and social change is happening more quickly in the north of Sunset Park.

Property values, among other things, have increased at a disproportionately high rate, particularly near Park Slope and Industry City. Between the 20062010 American Community Survey and the 2016-2020 American Community Survey, the median property value in Sunset Park rose by 19.15%, while it only rose by 9.81% in Brooklyn and 3.89% in New York City as a whole. This change is localized in the north of Sunset Park and in pockets near and along 8th Avenue.

Median household income has also increased at a higher rate than the rest of New York City, yet the median household income of Sunset Park still remains lower than that of Brooklyn or New York City as a whole. Even more than median property value, the increase in median household income has been concentrated in the northernmost part of Sunset Park.

Median Household Income

The census tracts with the highest median incomes are also the whitest and have the smallest percentage of foreign-born people. The maps of median household income and percentage of white population by tract overlap almost perfectly. They are also almost the inverse of the map of the distribution of the foreignborn population. The median household income in these tracts is much higher, sometimes more than double, that of other tracts.

Foreign-Born Population

White Population

Change in Worker Occupations

Percentage Change in Worker Occupations

THE NUMBER OF WORKERS IN different occupations has also changed. The number of people working in management, business, science, and arts has grown by nearly 37.6%, while the number of workers in all other occupations has fallen. This is roughly comparable to the rest of Brooklyn and New York City. This also fits with a trend of gentrification.

Yet a significant number of people still remain in non-management, business, science, and arts occupations. People working in management, business, science and arts make up 30.8% of the workforce, or 16,336 people. However, almost the same number, 16,111 people, or 30.4% of the workforce, work in services. This is indicative of a change in status, and income, of workers in Sunset Park.

While the percentage of people living in poverty has decreased, much of the neighborhood still remains poor. 22% live below the poverty level according to the 2016-2020 ACS. Similarly, the number of households that are rent burdened has decreased, but at 39.5% according to the 2016-2020 ACS, it is still higher than the city-wide average. Again, it is at least as likely that the decreases in these statistics have been caused by displacement rather than by increasing salaries.

Poverty status is determined for each family based on their composition. For example, a family might have two children, two parents, and a grandparent living together. This is then matched to one of 48 poverty thresholds: monetary values calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau that estimate what a family of these characteristics needs to live. If the family’s total income, before taxes, is below the threshold the family and all of its members are considered to be living in poverty. Poverty thresholds are changed every year to address inflation.

Refer to U.S. Census Bureau for more information census.gov/topics/ income-poverty/poverty/guidance/poverty-measures.html

2006-2010

2016-2020

brooklyn sunset park new york city

Gentrifying Forces

THESE CHANGES ARE CAUSED BY two main gentrifying forces. Firstly, the creative sector (concentrated at Industry City) and the immigrant growth coalition that comprises of Chinese developers, realtors and ethnic banks that are developing luxury housing projects throughout the neighborhood.

Sunset Park’s waterfront is a designated Significant Maritime Industrial Area and Industrial Business Zone (IBZ). Once the site for industrial manufacturing, the area is being actively repositioned for an innovation economy to meet the spatial needs of the creative sector. This repositioning is anchored by Industry City, a massive development which owns thirty-five acres along the waterfront.

In 2017, Sunset Park featured prominently in Mayor de Blasio’s New York Works plan, laying out priority industries to create 100,000 middle class jobs along one of New York City’s last remaining industrial waterfront neighborhoods. However, the plan was heavily questioned on the basis of equity as these jobs were not catered to low-income New Yorkers who typically lack high school diplomas and English language proficiency. The proposal was halted in August 2020 as community activists had City Councilman Carlos Menchaca to oppose plans for the Brooklyn building complex.

Yet, the impending threats of private capital investments remain. This is partially fuelled by Opportunity Zoning. Opportunity Zones are a federal community development program meant to encourage long-term private investment in low-income communities. Many “key areas” of Sunset Park and the Brooklyn Navy Yard are designated as such.

Designated Opportunity

Zones in Sunset Park

Hum, Tarry. “Made in New York? Innovation Economies and Immigrant Precarity.” The Gotham Center for New York City History. The Gotham Center for New York City History, September 19, 2019.

Piser, Karina. “Why Industry City Rezoning Is Failing.” City & State NY. City & State New York, July 6, 2021. https://www.cityandstateny. com/politics/2020/08/why-industry-cityrezoning-is-failing/175744/.

Through immigrant growth coalitions, ethnic banks promote neighborhood development based on relationships established with realtors and developers. This deepens intra-ethnic class divides through competing agendas for land use in regard to housing and the banks’ meager reinvestments in the community. Instead, their extensive investments in commercial real estate and development driven by global capital perpetuates gentrification. Additionally, ethnic-specific orientation also reproduces a racially stratified neighborhood by excluding the significant underbanked Latinx population.

Other related conditions also contribute to gentrification in Sunset Park. The neighborhood is located near affluent, trendy Park Slope and it is easily reachable by bus and subway. It is only a short subway ride from Manhattan. It has an abundance of desirable brownstones apartment buildings and it is located on the water. All of these things, along with the conditions described earlier, make gentrification and displacement a growing issue for Sunset Park.

Hum, Tarry. “Immigrant Growth Coalitions and Neighborhood Change: The Role of Ethnic Banks.” In Making a Global Immigrant Neighborhood: Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, 104–38. Temple University Press, 2014.

Uniting for Change: Local Groups and NonProfit Organizations in Action

Community Services

Most services in Sunset Park are offered by small non-profits and organized in churches. Space is limited and precarious. The needs of a majority immigrant community range from ESL training to uninsured health services. Community members express a desire for more literacy training, immigrant services, and social spaces to transfer knowledge or learn skills. Children are a particular concern. The people would like to see more spaces dedicated to youth development. Safety, accessibility, and openness are commonly held desires for communal spaces. The people of Sunset Park need greater access to literacy training and free spaces to share and acquire skills.

The Interim Library space under examination is in a central location. This makes it ideal to provide services in high demand. Much social and public value would come from providing an accessible permanent space to service high needs strongly desired by residents. A community ecology needs central safe space to acquire the resources needed to build social stability and mobility. Given the high number of services already available and the community demand for more accessible resources, it’s of high importance to create a centralized space to meet community needs.

Source: Voces Ciudadanas, Facebook Page

Public Facilities

THERE IS A SPREAD OF public facilities spread across the Sunset Park neighborhood and its adjacent areas. In the map, the facilities shown include governmental institutions or offices, public schools, and worship places. Predominantly, it shows 50 places of worship, 34 public schools and six governmental institutions. Within a 10-minute walk radius from the interim Sunset Park library, there is a copious mix of all three facilities, where most of them are located along the Fourth Avenue corridor.

Health Services

HEALTH SERVICES ARE DISPERSED THROUGHOUT Sunset Park and its neighboring areas. A diverse array of services are offered to its residents, including community-based and clinical options. They cover a range of general health problems, mental health counselling and wellness programs, and substance abuse support – some within an accessible 5-minute walk from the interim library.

Civic Groups

SUNSET PARK IS HOME TO civic-based organizations providing a range of services for its residents. Most of these grassroots groups provide multiservice assistance in various areas, including education, healthcare, immigrant services, and food support. Many of these groups are located within a 5 to 10-minute walking distance from the interim library. The central location of the interim library, combined with its proximity to the bases of nearby civic groups, makes the space ideal for communities of Sunset Park to gather and interact to fulfil their needs and objectives. Civic groups can use the spacious space within the interim library to organize and integrate a multiplicity of programming to benefit a community of all ages and backgrounds. The interim library could act as a hub in amplifying existing grassroots groups’ successes and foster new groups’ formation to solidify solidarity within Sunset Park.

Civic Groups

Legend

“I feel proud to have done community work, (...) I have learned a lot and (...) I value all the support, from the people who have come into my life, who motivate me to keep going”

Antelma Valdez

Civic Groups & Grassroots Organisations

SUNSET PARK–BASED

5306

NY 11220 www.amphsonline.org

Academy of Medical & Public Health Services

The Academy of Medical & Public Health Services (AMPHS) is a non-profit health-oriented organization that was founded in 2010 and strives to making care accessible for the immigrant population in the neighborhood through grassroot and culturally-sensitive approaches. AMPHS pushes to uncover the barriers of the wellness of the underserved migrant population through series of public health interventions and to lead their empowement to create local and culturallysensitive health models.

Demographic Programming

443

Immigrant communities

Center for Family Life

The Center for Family Life provides neighborhood-based resources and social services to support families in Sunset Park. Their organization offers programs that include family counselling, cultural, educational, and recreational focused, in partnership with the community to support and sustain their quality of life.

Demographic Programming

Children, adults, and low-income families

Family and Community Support Programs: Food pantry, assistance for SNAPS/Food Stamps, healthcare programs, etc.

School & Youth Community Programs: After-school and summer programs, educational, and recreational programs

443 39th Street, Brooklyn 11232 centerforfamilylife.org

Coalicion Mexicana

Coalicion Mexicana aims to develop the individual, organizational, and community capacities that will enable Latinos and Mexican Americans to realize their full civic, cultural, and political integration into American society.

Demographic Programming

18,000 families. Most of them are immigrants and essential workers.

Legal Services: Guidance with the immigration process or support related to housing in New York City.

Health Services: Connecting members of the community to food and health services

Other Services: Supporting the adaptation process of new immigrants upon their arrival in the US. Including educational services, ESL courses, as well as American civic education.

245 23rd St #2, Brooklyn, NY 11215 www.mixteca.org

info@mixteca.org

Mixteca

Mixteca Organization Inc. is a community organization located in Sunset Park that aims to empower Latin American immigrants in the Brooklyn area through access to services and economic development opportunities. It was established in 2000 by a group of community members concerned with helping with the critical health, education, social and legal needs facing Brooklyn’s thriving Mexican and Latin American immigrant community.

Demographic

Latin American immigrants in Brooklyn

273 54th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220 muslimsgivingback.org

info@ muslimsgivingback.org

Adult education: Literacy, IT and ESOL Health & Wellbeing: Improving community health and wellness through cultural events. Mental Health and Stress Management

Immigrant rights services

Emergency funds for undocumented workers

Muslims Giving Back

Muslims Giving Back is a small, non-profit group affiliated with Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Sunset Park. The organization was formed after the 9/11 tragedy when Muslims across the State was negatively scrutinized and to alter the negative narratives through engaging in charitable events. Currently, the group offers support to local and international communities through hunger programs, clean water, refugee support, and women empowering programs.

Demographic

Programming Programming

Vulnerable communities, including homeless people, domestic violence victims, and elderly

Clean water programs, community pantry, emergency response, Ramadan pantry drive, Ramadan food truck, and Project Transform.

621 DeGraw Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217 fifthave.org

(718) 237-2017

Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN)

Founded in 1990, Neighbors Helping Neighbors empowers low and moderate income New Yorkers by fighting for, secure, and maintain quality housing while promoting racial justice. The organization is affiliated with Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) and spread its services to bordering neighborhoods around Sunset Park.

Demographic

882 3rd Ave, Suite 1010NE, Unit 18, Brooklyn, NY 11232 obtjobs.org info@obtjobs.org

Low and moderate income New Yorkers facing housing insecurity or racial injustice

First time homebuyer education and counselling, homeowner services and foreclosure prevention counselling, and tenant organizing and advocacy.

Opportunities for Better Tomorrow (OBT)

Opportunities for Better Tomorrow offers employment opportunities and aims to break the cycle of inequity and poverty through job training, education, and employment. With two locations in Sunset Park, they serve to support economic recovery, especially during Covid-19, for youth and adults.

Demographic

Programming Programming

Youths and immigrants in the neighborhood

Youth education and job training, English classes, computer-skill classes, and citizenship preparation classes

Parent-Child Relationship Association

Based in the Sunset Park and Dyker Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York, the Parent-Child Relationship Association organizes community service events, particularly events involving cleaning up the community streets and parks. They seek to promote social and community activism among immigrant community members and help deepen the bond between parents and children by having them engage in activities together.

Demographic

Non-english speaking Latino immigrants in Sunset Park and Dyker Heights

Family support programming through art classes, early childhood education programs, and family advocacy

After school tutoring and youth summer programs

Social services including housing assistance, SNAP, and naturalizations

P.S. 516 PTA

Part of P.S. 516, the Parent-Teacher Association is the official organization of the parents to assist with various opportunities for the school. The committee of PTA516 organizes community events, work with staff and teachers, and fundraisings to create a feasible learning environment for their children and students of the public school.

Demographic

Programming Programming

P.S. 516 students and their parents

Community events interconnected with P.S. 516, general meeting every third Tuesday of the month.

The P.S. 94 PTA is the official parent body of P.S. 94. The Henry Longfellow School and partner with staff, teachers, and other affiliated stakeholders to advocate for their children and create a healthy and secure learning environment for students to excel and feel comfortable.

Demographic

P.S. 94 students and their parents

Support and speak on behalf of children in the schools, in the community, and before government groups and other organizations that make decisions affecting children. They help parents develop the skills they need to raise and protect their children.

South Brooklyn Mutual Aid

South Brooklyn Mutual AId is is a mutual aid group based in Sunset Park with over 1,000+ volunteers. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has been supporting the communities in Sunset Park, and surrounding neighborhoods with various resources such as groceries, daily necessities, baby boxes and more. Their emphasis on solidarity over charity has led to multiple partnerships with local organizations and schools.

Demographic

Programming Programming

Residents of Sunset Park, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, and surrounding areas

Buying and delivering groceries, picking up prescriptions, 1:1 conversation & companionship (via Skype, Zoom, etc), translation, social services guidance (filing for medicare, unemployment), preparing cooked food, dog walking, and in certain cases childcare/petcare.

5000 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220

www.bca.net

(718) 438-0008

Sunset Park Brooklyn Chinese-American Association (SPBCAA)

On January 19, 1988, the Eighth Avenue Community ChineseAmerican Association of Brooklyn was officially formed in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall at 3906 Eighth Avenue. The organization had a humble beginning with only a handful of people providing limited social services on a voluntary basis, helping immigrants who had low English proficiency with issues related to government social programs. In the following years, this fledgling organization grew with the rapidly expanding community. It became the Brooklyn Community Chinese-American Association, which later flourished into what is now known as the Brooklyn Chinese-American Association (BCA).

Demographic Programming

Chinese-American community in Sunset Park and surrounding areas.

Early childhood services: EarlyLearn, Universal Pre-Kindergarten, and Head Start program (Day care centers which provides early childhood educational services).

Youth services: After school programs, Chinese Cultural School, summer camp, and youth guidance services.

Adult education programs for new immigrants.

Bilingual social services: Social entitlements, housing, food stamps, citizenship, immigration, crime victims compensation, and application assistance services.

Senior services

Sunset Park BID

Founded in March 1995, the BID has provided services and programming aimed at making Sunset Park 5th Ave a better place to live, work, and shop. It is funded through a special assessment that is paid by district businesses and property owners. By Law, The Board of Directors consists of Property Owners (Class A), Business Owners (Class B), one Resident (Class C), and Representatives of City Government (Class D).

Demographic

Business owners and residents in Sunset Park

5116A 5th Ave, 2nd Fl., Brooklyn, NY 11220 www.sunsetparkbid.org info@sunsetparkbid. org twitter.com/ sunsetparkwatch

Graffiti removal by CitySolve, supplemental sanitation (block by block) on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, marketing and events merchant services, small business loans, community events and COVID-19 relief funding.

Sunset Park ICE Watch

Rapid response group of neighbors, community members, & activists in South Brooklyn.

Demographic

Programming Programming

Undocumented residents of Sunset Park endangered by ICE raids.

Supporting immigrant neighbors who have been terrorized by undercover ICE agents pretending to be NYPD.

6108 - 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11220

Sunset Park Lion’s Club

The Sunset Park Lions Club was chartered on June 1, 1980 as an extension of the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF). LCIF is a network of volunteers which focuses on five global causes: reducing the prevalence of diabetes, improve the quality of life of the visually-impaired people, ensuring communities have access to nutritious food, protect and restore the environment, and support the need of people affected by cancer.

10,000+ members of the Sunset Park community

Health fair screening provides services to over 10,000 members of the sunset park community, through partnerships with the American Italian Cancer Foundation — providing over 2,000 breast cancer screenings.

Thanksgiving Food Drive which has provided turkeys to over 3,500 members of our community.

Our Young Leaders in Service Awards which has provided over $50,000 in scholarships to students in our local schools. We have also recognized the service of our educators through an Educator of the Year Award.

Vision Futuro

Demographic Demographic

Programming Programming

Vision Futuro is a Sunset Park-based organization striving to educate the community about special needs children, and offers workshops and services for the neighborhood. The group has also participated in the design of two schools, including a new school on 36th Ave in their advocacy process as well.

Children and adults in Sunset Park with special needs

Campaigns, public activities, activism, education, and advocacy.

475 41 Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232

vocesciudadanasinc.org

Voces Ciudadanas

Voces Ciudadanas is a grassroots organization that works to build the collective power of migrants and other marginalized people by promoting community leadership and organizing, offering popular education programming and creating spaces to encourage dialogue so that social justice becomes a reality.

Demographic Programming

Migrant community and families in Sunset Park

Making space for community dialogue through advocacy campaigns such as Make Space for Schools in Sunset Park, food distribution, art and crafts workshops

4112 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11232 www.workersjustice.org contactus@ workersjustice.org

Worker’s Justice Project

Founded in 2010, the Workers Justice Project (WJP) is a New York City worker center that educates, organizes, and fights for better work conditions and social justice in the workplace. With a base of more than 12,000 members, WJP organizes lowwage, immigrant workers who are fighting to raise workplace standards in the construction, house cleaning, and app-based delivery industries.

Demographic Programming

Low-wage immigrant workers in Sunset Park & Williamsburg

Zona Segura (Safe Zone): Ongoing campaign to improve and enforce health and safety standards for immigrant day laborers and construction workers.

Los Deliveristas Unidos: A rapidly growing movement of app-based food delivery workers organizing and advocating for better wages, conditions, safety measures, and other rights. In just six months, our membership has grown and continues to grow, demonstrating the need delivery workers have to be seen, heard, and respected.

5th Ave Committee

Founded in 1978, Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) is a non-profit in New York City. The organization aims to push economic, social, and racial justice to create a more just and equitable future for the community’s future. FAC moves through an integrated and community-centered affordable housing, grassroots organizing, policy advocacy, and transformative education.

Demographic Programming

BIPOC community, migrants, tenants, and other atrisk communities.

Adult education providing 16 classes annually to over 500 adults from over 24 countries of origin. These students seek to advance their language acquisition, improve their employment prospects, support their children’s education, as well as improve their reading, writing, and math skills

Sanctuary for Families

Sanctuary for Families is a New York-based organization which advocates and offers services for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and other forms of gender-related violence. The organization strives to create a gender-violence free world while promoting healing and safety through outreach and education.

Demographic Programming

Survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, related gender-violence, and their children. Counseling and crisis intervention, legal, economic empowerment, shelter, outreach and training.

Past, Present and Future of Sunset Park Library

Introduction

Libraries have served communities as centers of learning, research, and discovery; they are crucial in promoting literacy, education, and intellectual liberty. With its wide range of resources people of all backgrounds and interests gain access to books, digital media, and online databases. They also offer various services such as literacy programs, job search assistance, and technology training, making them a valuable resource for community members who might not otherwise have access to these places.

In Sunset Park, the library is a critical community asset. A branch of the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), the library has undergone major changes and upgrades since its opening in 1905. As demand increases, the library closed for rebuilding and is currently operating from an interim space in the former court house on 4201 Fourth Avenue, sharing the space with Community Board 7 and the NYPD office.

Upon completion of the new structure (projected to be in Winter 2023), the library will move back to its original location, leaving the current interim library location vacant. This presents new possibilities and imaginaries to transform the space into a place for the local community.

Past

IN 1905, THE LIBRARY WAS opened as ‘South Branch’ library (also known as Carnegie’s Library) at the corner of 51st Street and 4th Avenue in today’s Sunset Park neighborhood. The building was designed by architects Lord & Hewlett, with funding support from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. After the building was declared obsolete, it was demolished in 1970. Soon after, a new building was constructed and reopened in 1972 as ‘Sunset Park Library.’

Until its demolition in 2018, the Sunset Park Library became one of Brooklyn’s busiest libraries, with attendance and circulation that rank near the top of Brooklyn Public Library’s 60 branches.

As the neighborhood grew, so did demands and use of the library; however, there was inadequate space to match the increasing use, and librarians were working under trying conditions (as spoken by Brooklyn Public Library President Linda Johnson). In addition, the old building had issues with heating and air conditioning and wasn’t fully equipped with appropriate technologies (it had only 12 electrical outlets.)

The Sunset Park branch is one of Brooklyn’s busiest libraries, ranking in the top 10 of Brooklyn Public Library’s 59 branches.

Timeline of the Library

Hence, a new structure was proposed by Housing Preservation and Development (HDP), Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), and Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC). FAC will cover the cost of construction, and the City of New York will resume ownership of the library portion of the building. The construction of the new library started in 2019 and is now completed. During its transition, an interim library was established at 4201 Fourth Ave (intersecting 43rd Street) under the provision of the New York Police Department (NYPD).

South Branch Library Source:

Present

THE INTERIM LIBRARY OF SUNSET Park sits at 4201 Fourth Ave (43rd Street), eight blocks from the new site, in an unused courthouse dating back to 1931, where it shares the space with Community Board 7 and NYPD. BPL worked with Leroy Street Studio for the space and program design of the interim library. The library sits on the first floor.

According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the staff “... leveraged minimal square footage and a tight budget to provide flexible spaces and technology adaptable to shifting needs.” Yet, the interim library continues to offer a variety of events though it was half the size of the previous site. AIA says, “A central program room floats freely within the volume and defines the additional zones surrounding it, such as the children’s reading areas and a brightly lit main reading room. The team refreshed a dismal southern entrance, transforming it into a vibrant community hub anchored by the library and adjacent community meeting rooms. The rear of the building is emblazoned with multilingual signage directing patrons and the library’s staff to the restrooms and offices.”

Current Programs/Events

Currently, many programs are offered in the library, which include, but are not limited to:

1. Toddler Time at Sunset Park Library

2. Film Screening

3. Orientation Program for Technologies

4. Knitting Club

5. Home Internet Access Program

6. La Hora Magica

7. Job-oriented programs

One of the creative aspects of the library is the window art installation, which resulted from a participatory design process with high school students enrolled in the local youth program. The collaboration also made up for the lack of shading (due to the tight budget); but it had created a unique feature for the space.

Survey of Existing Library

1. People love their existing library but recognize that it can no longer meet the diverse and ever-expanding needs of the local community

2. All participants highlighted the need for even more multilingual resources and technology access

3. Participants recommended several elements needed for an innovative, creative and community-reflective library

4. Recommended an increase of restrooms (including family restrooms) and drinking water fountains that encourage reusable bottles

5. The new library as a technology access point

6. The overall lack of internet access and computer use in Sunset Park generally and recommend free Wi-Fi capabilities in and around the new library

Source: Brooklyn Public Library Community Engagement Sessions with Hester Street, Grain Collective and the Library

Future

Sunset Park’s branch of Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) was becoming overcrowded and in a state of disrepair. The community wanted a library space that allowed for growth and met standards for public space. A longstanding proposal formed between BPL and the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC) suggested the demolition of the public library and the transferring of the land to FAC. They would then develop an improved and expanded library space and build six floors of affordable housing units on top. FAC would then sell the library space back to the city for $1 while retaining ownership of the building.

Residents of Sunset Park resisted the sale of their public library building to a non-profit. Protesters gathered outside the library and outside the Community Board 7 meeting room. In early 2017, the sale of the library to FAC was complete and plans moved ahead for demolition and construction. The new library will soon be open with 49 units of permanent affordable housing.

The new Sunset Park library is located at 372 51st Street, almost 21,000 square feet, nearly twice as large as the previous one. Designed by Mitchell Giurgola, the library will occupy the cellar, the first floor, and nearly half of the second floor of the 8-story building. The remaining six and a half floors are dedicated to affordable apartments. According to Giurgola’s website, it “... will be everything that the previous one was not: bright and comfortable, with an open, flexible design and up-to-date technological infrastructure. Its essential components, including the HVAC system, will be brand-new.”

Image by: Kate Leonova for PropertyShark

Process and Preparation

BPL worked with Hester Street and Grain Collective to gather feedback from residents and other stakeholders, where it was focused on both the design of the new space and the programming within Sunset Park’s new library. They have hosted:

1. Two public workshops: 100 participants (plus 25 children) gave opinions on challenges in the current branch and shared perspectives of design, programs, and overall culture

2. 13 meetings (with stakeholders)

3. Collected 400 surveys

4. Hosted four focus groups (between July and August): Focus groups were organized to ensure that population groups not present during the large workshops could also engage

Through these conversations, they have found that the community emphasises community gathering and programming as they do on library books and materials, and the new space will require flexibility to accommodate many uses.

The Interim Library

Built in 1931, the former Sunset Park Court house is located on Fourth Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Street. It currently houses the interim Sunset Park Library since 2018, along with the headquarters of Community Board 7 and the office of New York Police Department’s main applicant processing division.

The Classical Revival-styled building was designed by Mortimer D. Metcalfe, the architect who assisted with the design of Grand Central Terminal. It is decorated with Ionic columns along the portico on its 42nd and 43rd Street facade and quoins with American Eagle capitals and moldings, in addition to a rich window treatment. In the past, the building was used by the magistrates’ and municipal courts and is currently one of the neighborhood’s remaining civic buildings. In 2001, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the former court house as

one of Sunset Park’s historic landmarks. Until today, the structure is a monument that represents an era of prolific courthouse construction in New York City.

The Sunset Park Library, currently located in the former court house, is set to move to its original location in the near future. The relocation will leave the central space vacant and presents an opportunity to preserve and repurpose the space for the community’s benefit; its strategic location makes it an ideal space that could bring the Sunset Park community together. As the library’s interim location, the space has already been serving the local residents, and its potential to continue to do so remains high. With community-led planning, the central space could be transformed into a valuable community asset that benefits Sunset Park residents for years to come.

Former Courthouse in Sunset Park during its later stage of construction in 1931

4201 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn Built 1931; Mortimer Dickerson Metcalfe, architect. (Borough of Brooklyn Tax Map 724, Lot 1)

The Sunset Park library in Brooklyn has been a valuable resource for the community. Despite challenges such as technological changes, the library has persevered in providing community members with access to information, resources, and services. It has served as a hub for learning, growth, and connection, providing a wide range of opportunities. The Sunset Park library has played an important role in the community by providing a place for people of all backgrounds to come together and learn from one another.

Even when they had to use a temporary place, local residents continue to rely on its facilities and resources to enrich their lives. It is a testament to the enduring value of libraries in communities and their ability to provide resources and opportunities for anyone who seeks them.

Collecting Local Visions: Voces Ciudadanas Community Survey

Introduction

In the Summer of 2022, Voces Ciudadanas began organizing Sunset Park’s immigrant community to keep the space the Sunset Park Public Library is temporarily using while the new library is constructed in its original site. They began a community survey which was shared in person and online.

In the Fall of 2022, members of Voces Ciudadanas and other community leaders began conversations with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), who owns the interim public library bulidling, and other city agencies about the fate of the soon-to-be empty space. The NYPD agreed to look at community proposals to consider keeping the south side of the building for community use.

Today, Voces Ciudadanas continues reaching out residents and community leaders to learn about their needs and wants through the survey which has reached over 830 participants. The organization is expecting to collect 1,000 responses by the month June.

Results of Voces Cuidadanas Community Survey collected as of April 5th:

Should the Interim Library Space be used as a Community Resource Space?

99.2% said yes

Should the community have a say on city owned spaces such as the interim library?

98.8% said yes

I would like to see in that space (pick 2) or write your idea …

Voces Cuidadanas Survey Survey Results

Community members were asked to select two of the offered options or write their own ideas. From the options offered in the survey, as shown above, the results rank at the top a children’s museum space and an indoor swimming pool. A public space event, adult education center, a non-profit community organizing space, and a health center follow in that order. The ideas shared by the community include different children activities prioritizing art, music, indoor sports, and after school programs.

Considering the space of the limitations of the interim public library, which is a New York City Landmark, the idea of the indoor swimming pool was not considered for the program of the interim public library. This community vision will be considered for other campaigns. Thus, the other programs and activies were prioritized during the participatory-action research and community discussions.

Identifying Collaborators: Collective Mapping through a Sociogram

Introduction

A SOCIOGRAM IS A PARTICIPATORY activity that helps to identify community relationships and potential stakeholders, mapping the social network as a complex and interconnected system. In the context of Voces Ciudadanas’ campaign to keep the Interim Sunset Park Library as a resource in the community, a three hour community workshop was organized in order to identify potential collaborators, allies, and supporters that could help realize this goal.

The workshop took place at Voces Ciudadanas on Saturday, February 4th, 2023, and involved the participation of several neighbors, civic groups and community organizations active in the neighborhood. This event was facilitated by Voces Ciudadanas in collaboration with students and faculty from the MS Design and Urban Ecologies Program (DUE) at Parsons School of Design.

This document offers a description and analysis of the Voces Ciudadanas sociogram workshop. Its purpose is to help transfer and curate knowledge co-created with, by, and for the communities of Sunset Park.

What is a sociogram?

A sociogram is a research technique that visually establishes the social relationships existing between groups, institutions, or people. These relationships provide information about the kind of connections that exist between these groups. It also provides a framework for consideration of who is and who is not a stakeholder in the context of the process that is being studied.

How to make a sociogram

ELEMENTS OF A SOCIOGRAM

THE SOCIOGRAM USES LINES AND shapes to depict the different actors present and organize them in categories, as well as the network of relationships within them and the state of those relationships. Different shapes are used to represent the actors, while the lines represent their relationships.

What each type of shape and line represents is up for the facilitators, and there are many different versions that one can choose. Ultimately, choosing these will depend on the context of the sociogram and what is needed then. A common version would look similar to this:

Elements

Public Institutions

Social Organizations

Corporate Organizations

Groups of People/Individuals

Resources or Individuals

Actions

Outreach

14 days prior

Agenda Preparation

3 days prior

Partner with a local organization to conduct outreach, inviting all relevant community members. Discuss event agenda & timeline. Allocate responsibilities (notetaker, timekeeper, translator, presenter, photographer).

A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Co-Create a Sociogram

3 4

Sociogram Preparation

3 days prior

Choose symbols, cut out the symbols in colored paper, prepare a prompt to guide the discussion.

5

Analysis

Digitize sociogram. Reflect on learnings. Share your findings.

D-Day!

Arrive 30 min early to prep space. Sign guests in. Explain the agenda and sociogram. Divide participants in groups to discuss. Co-create sociogram.

Identifying Potential Collaborators, Allies and Supporters

AS THE RENOVATED PUBLIC LIBRARY space neared completion, the interim library space came into question. Once the library returned to its original site, could the interim space stay available to the public? What publicly available programs and activities would be communally desired in the Sunset Park Interim Public Library space? To generate answers, Voces Ciudadanas began reaching out and mobilizing different civic groups and community-based organizations in Sunset Park in the summer of 2022.

In the spring of 2023, a team of researchers and designers from the MS Design and Urban Ecologies (DUE) helped envision new public space in the interim library. To ensure the maximum participation of local stakeholders, a sociogram workshop was organized on February 4th 2023.

With community members’ attendance confirmed, the sociogram was planned. A Saturday afternoon allowed for the highest participation. Voces Ciudadanas and DUE helped facilitate the workshop. Community members were greeted with name tags and a sign-up sheet. Javier Salamanca from Voces Ciudadanas welcomed the group. Gabriela Rendon (DUE) introduced the activity, explained the different symbols and asked the participants to gather among their representing organizations. Each group took time to write down the organizations they were connected to, and the organizations they thought should be involved with the project. One at a time, each organization introduced themselves then mapped their community relationships on the Sociogram. Participants socialized with each other before finalizing the workshop.

The organizations that attended:

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

TO PROMPT THE PARTICIPANTS IN thinking about their connections and the relevant actors, we posed them these questions:

What is your name and your role in your organization?

What type of work does your organization do?

What program do you imagine happening at the Interim Public Library for the benefit of the community?

South Brooklyn Mutual Aid

PS94 PTA

United Community Consulting Unaffliated Neighbors of Sunset Park

Center for Family Life Sunset Park

PS516 PTA

Vision Futuro Coalicion Mexicana

Sociogram Visualization

NYC Department of Education

NYPD

Migrant Services, Taxes, Wellness

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Church)

PS94 PTA

(The Henry Longfellow School)

Youth Community Organizing

Voces Ciudadanas

Family Services, Afterschool Programs

Center for Family Life in Sunset Park

Community Board 7

DYCD NYC Funding School Principals

Cultural programs, Youth and elderly interaction groups

Healthy Relationship Conversations

Adults

Youths

Parsons DUE (Design and Urban Ecologies)

Spatial Design, Workshopping

Parents

Families

Churches, Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Vision Futuro

South Brooklyn Mutual Aid

Food Distribution, Asylum Adult Learning

Sanctuary for Families

Refugees

Undocumented

NYPD, DOE, Churches

Churches

Alexa Aviles City Council District Member 38 Sunset Park

5th Ave Committee

ACS - NYC Funding

Marcela Mitaynes State Assembly Council Member

Brooklyn Public Library

PS516 PTA (Sunset Park Avenues Elementary School)

Adult Education, Outreach Services, Youth Programs

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Sunset Park Lion Club

Coalicion Mexicana

Mixteca

Street Soccer

Muslim Latinx

United Community Consulting LLC

Community outreach, engagement & advocacy

Latinx

Formerly Incarcerated Undocumented

Women

Undocumented Parents Neighbors

Adult Education & Health Services

United Tenants of Brooklyn

Kids

Muslims Give Back

LEGEND

Governmental Institutions Public Officials & Agencies

Community Organizations Civic Groups & Grassroots Groups

Stable

Individuals and Specific Communities

Projects, programs, initiatives

Sociogram Analysis

Alexa Aviles and Marcela Mitaynes are strong allies for the communities of Sunset Park, both from their political standing and connections, as well as their strong relationship to the organizations and communities of Sunset Park. It is important to involve them in the process and have these conversations with them in the development of this project.

School communities, such as student organizations and PTAs, have a strong and active involvement in the community. They are connected with each other and with many other actors working in the neighborhood, including school principals, the Brooklyn Public Library, and the DOE.

The relationship between the organizations of Sunset Park and the NYPD is a stable one and there are some cases of collaboration, such as with Vision Futuro in the support of special needs children. Vision Futuro also expressed a desire to establish a stronger positive relationship with the NYPD so the neighbors can come to the NYPD if the need arises.

The majority of specific communities that appear are in relationship to children, youths, parents and families. Others to note are latinx, undocumented, women, refugees, neighbors, and formerly incarcerated people.

Churches play a big role in the neighborhood, to the extent that it is placed as a public/governmental institution instead of a private/civic group in order to convey the power, influence and resources they have. While only one specific church was placed on the sociogram, and the figure itself didn’t have as many connections, participants of the workshop all agreed that they are well connected to the community and cover many pressing issues.

Despite being the community’s representing body at the city level, Community Board 7 showed no relationship with the other organizations in the sociogram. The Sunset Park BID was another significant organization that was not mapped to any other organization. It is important to explore the root of this and look for spaces of opportunity.

While the sociogram is full of many diverse relationships between each other, relationships of conflict are completely absent from the map. This is an opportunity for deeper reflection on the tensions that might be present in the neighborhood and how they might be playing out, even if we’re not aware of them.

Among the participating organizations, not all of them were connected to one another. Center for Family Life Sunset Park has the most connections while the rest of the organizations appear have limited connections between one another. It would be important to explore opportunities to bridge these fragmented relationships, whether through activities or intermediary organizations.

Amplifying Neighborhood Voices: Oral Histories in Community Organizing

What is oral history?

An oral history, as defined by the Parsons Housing Justice Lab, is a method of mutual study which involves the collection, preservation and amplification of voices and the experiences of marginalized people and communities. It is a technique that offers the opportunity to question historical modes of gathering information and knowledge creation and to critique extractive research methods.

THE GOAL OF THIS ORAL history project is to collect, preserve and amplify the voices of Sunset Park residents active in creating community spaces that benefit all. Through their stories, a historical narrative can be weaved and shared, highlighting their techniques, methods and motivations in creating spaces that address inequalities present in their neighborhood. This project focuses on the efforts of immigrant and native Sunset Park residents in challenging the issues of gentrification, displacement and lack of educational investment. Through the use of coalition building, community organizing and cooperativism, the residents of Sunset Park illuminate future possibilities.

This framework allows for co-creation between the “narrator” and “interviewer” of a historical narrative that highlights the identity, story and life experiences of the narrator. This method of interviewing weakens the distinction between “researcher” and “participant” in favor of a more collaborative relationship based on mutual responsibility, creativity, and care. Oral histories are preserved in archives and shared in order to provide a direct benefit to popular knowledge.

Questions and Goals

Main Question

How have Sunset Park’s communities created spaces to address inequalities and make sure the community has its voice heard and a place at the decision-making table?

Project Goals

This project aims to unearth the voices and memories of residents of Sunset Park who have been involved in the creation of community spaces for the benefit of all. It aims to foster community learning from past strategies, methods, and motivations in order to inform future imaginaries and concrete possibilities leading to the creation of new spaces as a way to address structural inequalities.

Collective Knowledge that this Project Seeks to Unearth, Preserve, and Share

• The motivations of immigrant communities in fighting for the creation of community spaces due to neglect, disinvestment and lack of services.

• How immigrant communities create space that meet community needs and protect such space from privatization and other interests.

• The way these efforts have contributed in addressing inequalities and give voice to Sunset Park residents in education, culutral, artistic activities, local economies and safe spaces etc.

• The way local communities, groups and organizations have collaborated and organized to achieve their goals.

• Key aspects to learn from, such as successful campaigns, shortcoming and political connections, to achieve new ones.

Interview Questionnaire

FOR THE ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW, the conversation was divided into five different sections, which covers topics from the narrator’s personal information to their connection with Sunset Park.

A Background & personal information

The first part serves as an introduction for the participants to share their life background, childhood, and family, as well as the languages that they speak. This section intends to provide context and insight into the individual’s cultural background and personal experiences.

B Connection with the neighborhood

This section delves into their early memories of Sunset Park; dialogues about their first time settling in Sunset Park, the reasons why they’re attracted to the neighborhood, their early memories of it.

C Involvement in the creation of spaces for the Sunset Park community

The third part is a dialogue about the interviewee’s involvement in the Sunset Park community. This includes several questions about their involvement in local organizations and initiatives, such as the first organization they connected with, why they got involved, and challenges they faced. It also asks about the impact of their involvement on the community, personal learning experiences, and proud moments during the time they worked in the community.

D Connection with Voces Ciudadanas

For this part of the interview, the question focuses on the participants connection with Voces Ciudadanas. The conversation asks how they got connected to Voces Ciudadanas and in what capacity they have been involved with the organization. Additionally, it also asks for the individual’s opinion on what has been critical to the organization’s success in achieving its goals and whether there are any principles or values that come to mind.

E Public spaces and the co-production of new spaces

The final section explores the significance of public spaces, especially in Sunset Park. It raises the question of how the community feels about using public resources, such as public land and underutilized public infrastructures. The dialogue continues with the soon-to-be vacant interim library space, and how the community can claim the space for the benefit of the community.

“Sunset Park is such a home for so many people. [...] and especially people who are raising children here or who grew up here, it’s like you put your roots down and then to realize that rents are about to go out of control and you might lose your community... That’s so scary... Especially if you’re someone I think who has already moved from another country to here and now you might lose the new home you have.”

Rebecca Giordano

Summary of the Interviews

JAVIER SALAMANCA IS A SUNSET Park resident, board committee member of the organization Voces Cuidadanas, and public school teacher. He was born in Bogota, Colombia, and moved to the United States with his family when he was 4 years old. He and his family settled originally in Borough Park when they first immigrated, but always felt a closeness with the neighborhood due to its strong hispanic cultural presence. When he moved out of his parents’ home, he chose Sunset Park for its proximity to his family and the connection he felt with the neighborhood.

His interview narrates his long involvement with neighborhood activism and community organizing. He first started as a youth counselor in a summer program during his teenage years, and discovered he liked working with youths and local communities. As an adult, he got involved with local organizations in Sunset Park fighting rezoning and gentrification in the area and preserving its cultural heritage. There, he learned about community advocacy and organization, intergenerational and intercultural exchange of knowledge, and immigrant and workingclass’ rights.

He later got involved in other movements relevant to immigrant rights, such as quality schools, mobility and transportation, tenants’ rights, and cop watch through community engagement activities and events. He got further interested in school overcrowding issues in the neighborhood and was impressed by parents’ commitment to it, and felt even more identified after his first child was born and he felt it from their perspective. After that he started organizing more and taking on leadership roles, organizing campaigns and scholarships, and designing programs.

It was after getting funding and grants for these projects that he and other colleagues saw it as feasible to start their own non-profit, where they could continue advocating for their community and providing support where needed, and Voces Ciudadanas was born. Through it, they have advocated and supported eviction prevention, rent assistance, tenants’ rights, community spaces, etc. He sees the interim public library, which will soon be vacated, as an opportunity to create more community spaces where residents can access resources and assistance, as well as foster closer community relationships and connectedness.

Javier Salamanca

REBECCA GIORDANO, A LIFELONG RESIDENT of Sunset Park, Brooklyn was born at the Maimonides Medical Center to an Italian father and Jewsih mother. Now a co-director of the community school project at P.S.94

During the interview, Rebecca discusses her familiar and social connections to Sunset Park by detailing her family origins and community work. She describes her relationship with Sunset Park as unique, narrating her privileges and awareness of gentrification.

Living in her childhood home, with a family of her own now, Rebecca recalls how the racial demographics have shifted but the overall culture remains, stating “the biggest difference is the price of things”. Aware of gentrification, Rebecca describes how expensive the neighborhood has become, forcing her back into her childhood home and displacing those around her.

Rebecca details her first connection with an organization in Sunset Park. Working with UPROSE, via a fellowship, she remembers designing a youth video project focused on environmental justice. Explaining why she left UPROSE, Rebecca tells why she decided to “start a new school in Sunset Park”, SPEAC (Sunset Park Education and Action Community School). Narrating the successes and failures of that project, she details the process of organizing with neighbors, friends and Sunset Park organizations. Unsuccessfully in the goal, Rebecca recalls the solidarity that was formed and how it was activated and used to fight rezoning.

Rebecca recalls her early connection with Javier Salamanca of Voces Ciudadanas, meeting during the fight against rezoning. Rebecca remembers being invited to events and meetings addressing zoning and school construction. She praises the work Voces Ciudadanas does in the neighborhood and how they’ve utilized their space.

Aware that the interim library will be shut down, Rebecca talks of the possibility and importance of community spaces and public spaces. Suggesting a teen center or senior center, Rebecca stressed the space should be kept public. Rebecca states the following “space that is not currently occupied by something and has the ability to become a public space, should be.”

Rebecca Giordano

Yangfeng Zheng (Joey)

YANGFENG ZHANG, ALSO KNOWN AS Joey Zhang, is a resident of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Zhang is an active advocate for education and parental rights in the neighborhood and is connected with multiple organizations, including Voces Ciudadanas and PS94 PTA.

In the interview, Zhang talks about her background and experiences before moving to Sunset Park. She describes her initial struggles with school administrations and staff while trying to improve the education environment for students. She recalls being banned from the school, labeling her as a “dangerous person” because she was actively inquiring about the funding obtained from the council, which was won by the parents and volunteers.

Zhang also discusses her involvement with Voces Ciudadanas, recalling the first time she got in touch with them through their petition for more schools and subsequent programs she joined. She talks in detail about the success of Voces Ciudadanas and the significant aspects that contributed to achieving their goals.

From the challenges to the most memorable events and impacts on the neighborhood, Zhang shares her various experiences with the Sunset Park community. She expresses her concern about the lack of public spaces in the area, particularly for kids, stating that outdoor public spaces are often “packed” and “not enough.”

Finally, the interview ends with a discussion about public space and the interim library, which the NYPD plans to close down. Zhang speaks about the potential of the interim space for further programs for the residents of Sunset Park, ranging from skill-building to Zumba. Overall, Zhang’s interview sheds light on the challenges faced by the Sunset Park community and the efforts made by local organizations to improve education and public spaces in the area.

ANTELMA VALDEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM THE town of Citlaltepetl, located north in the Mexican state of Veracruz, later moved to Acatlán, Puebla for work. She discusses meeting her eventual husband in Acatlán a few years later, connecting during one of his trips back home, since he worked in New York. Although they married in Mexico, Anthelma states they decided to settle in the United States.

Antelma recounts her first feelings, when she arrived in Sunset Park. Despite her worries about living abroad, in a city with another language; she explains how surprisingly easy it was for her to adapt, given the large Hispanic Latino population in Sunset Park.

Valdez shares her experience working with adults from low-income rural communities in Mexico and her start as a volunteer in the United States. Detailing her vast career- she presided as president of the P.S.1 parents’ association for over 10 years. She further discusses the challenges, struggles and achievements in her career.

In relation to Voces Ciudadanas, Antelma recalls joining their team after finishing her participation with the PTA. Antelma emphasizes that one of the biggest challenges in terms of citizen participation is time. There is not enough time to combine the following: volunteering, being a mother, a student and a worker.

Detailing the importance and the impact of Voces Ciudadanas, Antelma recalls the work Voces Ciudadanas did during the COVID-19 pandemic. They serviced more than 500 families prioritizing those with dependent children by distributing food and necessary products for children.

Antelma reveals that the strength of Voces Ciudadanas lies in their commitment, permanence and constant search to understand what is happening in the neighborhood, by offering campaigns and programming that considers the problems and real needs of all Sunset Park residents.

Antelma Valdez

Oral Histories Takeaways

The following points were brought up in all the oral history interviews that were conducted:

Education is a major driving force and trigger for the narrators’ initial involvement and intensification of involvement in the community. In general, children’s wellbeing and quality of life is a motivator in community organizing and advocacy, especially in parents (but not exclusively so). Many narrator’s stories of involvement in Sunset Park start with advocacy for quality education and school conditions, and while some are dedicated exclusively to this goal, others have branched out into other areas that are in urgent need of providing adequate living conditions for the working class and immigrant communities that live in Sunset Park.

The main themes that narrators have participated and organized for in Sunset Park are education and school overcrowding, rezoning and gentrification forces, immigrants’ rights, and housing rights (tenant organizing, rental assistance, eviction prevention).

The majority of narrators are first-generation immigrants who came to the U.S. when they were younger. This means that they have experienced first-hand the hardships of immigrant communities, and feel a personal connection to the neighborhood and its cultural heritage.

While Sunset Park has a diverse range of identities and immigrant communities, the people interviewed described it as feeling familiar. They like Sunset Park because it harbors people of shared backgrounds, exemplified in the neighborhood’s food, services, and languages. Through these things, they feel belonging, safety, and comfort. This close connection to the neighborhood creates a protectiveness over it and a willingness to defend that can be very fierce.

“But for the whole, as a group, for the future, we should fight. We should stand up for, for our neighborhood.”

Joey Zhang

As residents of Sunset Park, the narrators are also experiencing first-hand the gentrification that the neighborhood is going through and the impact it has had on their daily lives, including the financial strain and displacement of their communities.

When talking about activism and community organizing, narrators feel a strong sense of pride in their participation and the goals they have achieved as a community. The fight for a common goal itself is acknowledged as a process that creates a lasting sense of unity and solidarity. Cultural and racial divides that exist in Sunset Park disappear in these situations, and in its place emerges a collective mentality centered on “the good of the community”, and the “fight for all” that can be very powerful. This moment fosters a bond that feels very unique and special for those involved.

Narrators also sustain that spaces for advocacy are powerful opportunities for exchanging ideas and knowledge, as well as fostering dialogue in constructive ways, even while admitting that people can disagree and change their minds without disqualifying them from the conversation. This is a process that needs to happen continuously and never ends.

“I do a lot of times think about like, well what am I gonna do in like 15 years if everyone I know is gone? Like will it still feel like home? Will it still feel like my community if every other person I know has to leave?”

Rebecca Giordano

When thinking about the interim public library and community spaces, narrators identify them as fundamental in providing many needs for the community. Libraries provide access to free internet and computer services, reading and education resources, job applications, etc. They also emphasize the importance of engaging the residents in thinking who has the right to that space and how it can be used for something that actually has a positive impact in the community. It also opens up conversations with the community about inequality and marginalization, while at the same time fostering connection and closeness between the residents. Engaging in these conversations itself is valuable and important for community members to communicate their needs and priorities, as well as their imagination in what can contribute in a meaningful way to their lives.

Shared experiences between the narrators include the fight against rezoning in Sunset Park as well as the fight against school overcrowding. Although the former was considered a loss and the latter a big victory, they were experiences that shaped their lives and taught them important lessons in leadership, dialogue, negotiation, conflict, and activism.

Imagining a Community Space: Engaging Neighbors through Radical Listening

Introduction

PUBLIC FACULTY IS A TECHNIQUE

that engages in radical listening through interventions in public spaces, in order to listen to people describe their daily conditions and struggles, as well as their feelings and dreams. In the context of imagining a new community space for 4201 4th Ave (the Interim Public Library), a two-day event was organized in order to rethink, redefine, and reenter the public space through collective action.

The intervention took place in strategically chosen spots in the neighborhood on February 18th and 19th (Saturday and Sunday), for 4 hours each day, and was open to members of the public who wanted to participate. The activity was available in 3 languages –English, Spanish and Chinese– in order to accommodate the different backgrounds in the neighborhood. This event was facilitated by students and faculty from the MS Design and Urban Ecologies program (DUE) at the Parsons School of Design in collaboration with Voces Ciudadanas and volunteers from the neighborhood.

What is a Public Faculty?

Developed by Dutch artist Jeanne Van Heeswijk, Public Faculties engage local communities in a process of collective learning through the exchange of knowledge and deep listening. From van Heeswijk’s work on Public Faculty, “it is a method of practicing public conversations and ways of relating. The purpose is to learn how to listen to people describe their daily conditions. It is a practice of determining how an existing conflict can be made productive by speaking and thinking together. During these hours, facilitators stand at locations where they can speak with passersby about the issues at hand.”

How to Host a Public Faculty

A PUBLIC FACULTY IS A tool to listen to what community members really want. In doing so, it provides a good foundation for any programmatic decisions related to public space conversations. By doing it in public spaces, it allows for the diversity of residents’ needs and wants to appear organically in a deep listening context, with openness and without judgment.

Components

Public Faculties are useful to gather information pertaining to a local community-run project. Public Faculties should be hosted in partnership with local grassroots organizations to make sure that the event has an anchor in the community itself. Before hosting your public faculty, organize a meeting with your team to frame a question that will engage passersby. How the question will be visually communicated is as important as the question itself — eye catching methods tend to grab people’s attention and awaken people’s curiosity.

A Step-By-Step Guide

Outreach

14 days prior

1. After preliminary research, identify an issue or condition that requires community input.

Agenda Prep

7 days prior

1. Discuss the agenda

2. Frame your guiding question

3. Select a strategic public space with foot traffic to engage with passers-by

2. Partner with a local community organization affected or interested in such issue or condition.

3. Recruit volunteers and select strategically the dates

Choose Medium

3 days prior

1. Meet with your team to choose an eye-catching medium to engage people's attention

2. Design the medium in a way that allow you to collect people's voices

3. Prepare the material you will need

Public Faculty

1. Arrive 30 min early for preparations

2. Debrief volunteers

3. 4 hours for community engagement

4. Wrap up and prepare for the next day

Analysis

1. Digitize public faculty results

2. Reflect on insights

3. Share your findings

THE SOCIOGRAM WORKSHOP PROVIDED THE social infrastructure needed to start engaging with the broader public surrounding the future of the interim Public Library. Volunteers from the organizations present in the previous workshop were invited, including two members of Visión Futuro and four volunteers from Voces Ciudadanas.

There was a team meeting two days leading up to the first session where the guiding question was determined. The question was, “How do you imagine a community space that unites and empowers the community?” as it constrained people’s answers to a particular location (the library) while providing enough freedom for a variety of answers.

Inspired by quilts, the Public Faculty was organized around the weaving of a large tapestry, where individual answers would be woven together to reveal the elements that bring the community of Sunset Park together. The pieces of cloth were hung and woven together on site, creating a colorful and eyecatching tapestry that illustrates the diverse patchwork of imagination(s) for community spaces in Sunset Park.

The Public Faculty took place over two days, at two locations in Sunset Park: the corner of 5th Ave. and 44th St. on Saturday, February 18th and at 4th Ave. and the corner of 59th St. on Sunday, February 19th. The organizers believed both of these locations would be busy with pedestrian traffic with diverse backgrounds and affiliations. The 5th Avenue location is on the corner of Sunset Park itself and is next to a bus stop and grocery store. The 4th Avenue location is near a prominent subway stop.

How do you imagine a community space that unites and empowers the community?

Neighborhood Voices

New library that is cleanear and prettier, with more books and that is free. It should always be open. Being able to write about the books, what I liked, with an after school program that supports kids in their learning.

Billy Coronado, 7 y Avdelio Coronado, 38

More spaces for children: for instance libraries, exercise / sports areas and public toilets.

A daycare that supports undocumented children.

A space for single mothers that are facing difficulties paying rent and are homeless. The rent is too high. Workshops for housing applications, and job searching. Neighbors can do a knowledge exchange. Silvestre

A place that offers tutorials for children and recreational games- Arts programming.

Carmen

Space to learn English, computing and how to communicate and interact with others. Place for adults.

José Infante

Free writing, reading and horticulture classes. Neighbors sharing knowledge

Michele & Ken

More activities for children, like playing (spaces for running, crafts, painting), also games with physical activity. A closed space with physical play areas.

Araceli Mendoza

A free english learning center taking into account the participation of latin communities who have not recieved enough education.

More counseling for mental awareness.

It's good to have a space where kids can go, so they stay out of the streets. A space like a library.

Indoor play space for kids (after-school programming)

Kelly-Ann

A community center that provides help with housing issues, health insurance, etc. Where there are people who speak your language and some feel welcome.

Olga Hernandez

English classes for free for all ages. Adel

Space that is extention of CD7 for information and education about what is going on in the neighborhood.

Debibie

A space for children of working moms where they learn to share, craft and read in spanish.

Mayra

Multigenerationa l, for all

A space for youth, children and parents that offers tutorials, classes, and workshops for job hunting and immigration aid and ID applications.

Ana Vasquez

Afterschool space that proudes activities and structure for kids that usually arrive to empty homes without company or guidance.

Chairs with cushions that are comfortable for a long time

Bernard

A space that offers art programs and activities for kids, young adults and seniors

Pascual

Help and information center, health services and job search, and tenant aid and organizing.

Acevedo Isaac

A gymnasium where people can exercise, that also provides group and individual activities, for the use of people that live here. It would be nice that other people that don't live in sunset park could also come visit.

Valentina

A community space for the kids like an indoor playground and event space. Cleun

Give classes to immigrant people to learn english that struggle for free. School for kids with no proper opportunity to go to college.

An open, accessible space that allows people to freely join together

A recreation center for kids, an arts center would be great because there are not a lot of summer programs. Storytelling time and other activities. I imagine tables, children sitting and professionals teaching. All of this to connect with their emotions, providing dance classes. They should have everything they need to reach their potential.

Silvia y Veronica

A physical and mental health wellness center

A space that educates youth and informs on substance abuse

One that prioritizes accessibility, intergenerational relationship-building, and shared visions for safety & health. Also lots of green space! + mutual aid + political education :)

2 3 4 5 6 How community empowers ¿Cómo te comunitario empodere 想象一个团结和赋予社区的 空间，那会是什么样的？

A space for migrant orientation.

Support for victims of violence. Woman and man. Work Trainings

Familia de sunset park

Give OSHA classes for all hispanics and don't have trouble with work

Jose Perez

A space for dance that is taught for free

A healthy space, where we all live without distinction of race. Showing everyone's traditions.

Eleucadio Flores

There were over 80 responses from passersby in the two days of conversation in Sunset Park. Their responses are presented below. 1 A B C D E F G

Workshops for helping women about domestic violence

Maria Cruz

Something for children like craft stories, a space for them to be there and entertain themselves. That they have a place to be and spend time, doing manual, physical activities. This is how they are entertained and inspired, and this is how they imagine and create. Beatriz

I imagine... games for children with special needs. It would be the most beautiful for me.

Teresa

Free workshops for kids of different ages. Rosalba

Cesia Martinez

7 8 9

A diner for the whole community that serves healthy food and information on nutrition.

I want something for children, like events for special needs children. We want a lot of things but the most important is the future of education among youth. Sobretodo su educación (activities and teachers).

Marcela

One that prioritizes accessibility, intergenerational relationship-building, and shared visions for safety & health. Also lots of green space! + mutual aid + political education :)

For children and adults to have a space to be, talk, study or have a cup of coffee...more so in the spring that we all go out. I imagine a beautiful space, with flowers, trees and modern design. An open space. Eufracia

do you imagine a community space that unites and empowers the community?

te imaginas un espacio comunitario que una y empodere la comunidad?

想象一个团结和赋予社区的 空间，那会是什么样的？

An excellent idea to use a space for the community that will otherwise be wasted when it can be used for a good purpose for our community. To be used for entitlements, immigrants, healthcare and any other services that will benefit the community. Edey

That it be a seedbed of values in children or young people

Martha

Swimming center for kids

Josefina

Maria

A recreational park for children. An open space with places to sit and with plenty of green. With activities for children.

Gladys

A recreational center for children

We need english learning support and other classes to begin working in some fields, any type of information.

Plant some cherry blossoms, improve cleanliness of public toilets, manage homelessness increased security at night noise control, trader joes improve micromobility management (bicycles, motorcycles)

English language learning and IT skills for kids. Support in job search and education to be able to improve on an individual level.

José Piñeiro

Tutorials for childen and teens.

Playgrounds & play spaces for children

A school for english language learning for children and adults, and a recreational center for children (arts & crafts). Also a help center for immigrants to get work.

Juan Calaby

It should be a space for children and adults to read and educate themselves.

Grecia Rodriguez

Jaime Ramirez

A space that tends to special needs children — and fosters inclusive learning.

Paola

Investing in everyday life skills & creating synergies across the boards allocating communal & individual success

A museum featuring children's art.

Britney (Visión Futuro)

I imagine a center that supports children in school work.

Maria, Mexico

Community center for youth and adults Mary

Yesenia

Activities and crafts workshops for children during winter. Angela

English classes, job training, construction. Support for adults.

Jovenes de la comunidad

A space for kids to gather afterschool, for homework support and during school breaks

Lisette (sunset park)

Arnaud-Heri

Alexandra

Space where single mothers that can't read can learn how to do so to guide their children in an environment where they feel included and listened to.

Marina Rodriguez

Maria Bolaños

A safe inclusive space for everyone

Ben, Lauren + Eli

Animal clinic, Resources for pet owners

Community residents

Activities and crafts workshops for children during winter.

Angela

I would like an education center for girls with vocabulary to understand more.

Oswaldo Mendez

A space that offers art and technology activities for young people and the elderly. With programs that keep young people off drugs

Ceonila

Opportunities to create jobs in the community.

Educational and vocational programs. Johny

Enma

School

Center for kids' mental health awareness. Center for mental health awareness of children, youth and adults. Unite the community and connect the neighbors with specialists.

Carla Trujillo

A gamer room, a playground, a nail salon for girls and a spa for grownups, games for babies and a room for eating and to learn to cook.

*All the voices in Spanish and Chinese were translated to English for research purposes.

A space to help kids with homework.

A recreational center for loved ones with special needs.

Keep the police there so that the kids will be safer. Lili

An exhibition and cultural exchange center.

Afterschool programs for many and also support programs for parents. But especially entertainment programs for young people instead of being on the street. Writing and reading clubs.

Help for the elderly to search for jobs because the agencies do not consider them. Because I like to work but not be exploited.

Place where children can play and where they can learn art, culture, and dance techniques.

Hospital

I imagine... games for my children and the children of Sunset Park

A New library that is cleaner and prettier, with more books and that is free. It should always be open. Being able to write about the books, what I liked, with an after school program that supports kids in their learning.

Billy Coronado, 7 y, Avdelio Coronado, 38

B More spaces for children: for instance, libraries, exercise / sports areas and public toilets.

C A daycare that supports undocumented children.

Anabel

D A space for single mothers that are facing difficulties paying rent and are homeless. The rent is too high. Workshops for housing applications, and job searching. Neighbors can do a knowledge exchange.

Silvestre

E A place that offers tutorials for children and recreational games- Arts programming.

Carmen

F Space to learn English, computing and how to communicate and interact with others. Place for adults.

José Infante

G Free writing and reading (...) classes. Knowledge sharing (...).

Michele & Ken

A More activities for children, like playing (spaces for running, crafts, painting), also games with physical activity. A closed space with physical play areas.

Araceli Mendoza

B A free english learning center taking into account the participation of latin communities who have not received enough education.

C More counseling for mental awareness

D It’s good to have a space where kids can go, so they stay out of the streets. A space like a library.

E Indoor play space for kids (after-school programming)

Kelly-Ann

F A community center that provides help with housing issues, health insurance, etc. Where there are people who speak your language and some feel welcome.

Olga Hernandez

G English classes for free for all ages.

Adel

A Space that is extention of CD7 for information and education about what is going on in the neighborhood.

Debibie

B A space for youth, children and parents that offers tutorials, classes, and workshops for job hunting and immigration aid and ID applications.

Ana Vasquez

C Afterschool space that provides activities and structure for kids that usually arrive to empty homes without company or guidance.

D Chairs with cushions that are comfortable for a long time

Bernard

E A space that offers art programs and activities for kids, young adults and seniors

Pascual

F Support for victims of violence. Woman and man. Work Trainings

Familia de Sunset Park

G Give OSHA classes for all hispanics and don’t have trouble with work

Jose Perez

A A space for children of working moms where they learn to share, craft and read in spanish.

Mayra

B Help and information center, health services and job search, and tenant aid and organizing.

Acevedo Isaac

C A gymnasium where people can exercise, that also provides group and individual activities, for the use of people that live here. It would be nice that other people that don’t live in Sunset Park could also come visit.

Valentina

D A community space for the kids like an indoor playground and event space.

Cleun

E Give classes to immigrant people to learn English that struggle for free. School for kids with no proper apportunity to go to college

F A space for dance that is taught for free

G Workshops for helping women about domestic violence

Maria Cruz

A Multigenerational, for all

James

B An open, accessible space that allows people to freely join together.

C A recreation center for kids, and arts center would be great because there are not a lot of summer programs. Storytelling time and other activities. I imagine tables, children sitting and professionals teaching. All of this to connect with their emotions, providing dance classes. They should have everything they need to reach their potential.

Silvia and Veronica

D A physical and mental health wellness center

Irma

E A space for migrant orientation

José Infante

F A healthy space, where we all live without distinction of race. Showing everyone’s traditions.

Eleucadio Flores

G Something for children like craft stories, a space for them to be there and entertain themselves. That they have a place to be and spend time, doing manual, physical activities. This is how they are entertained and inspired, and this is how they imagine and create.

Beatriz

A A space that educates youth and informs on substance abuse.

B One that prioritizes accessibility, intergenerational relationship-building, and shared visions for safety & health. Also lots of green space! + mutual aid + political education :)

Ana Vasquez

F I imagine... games for children with special needs. It would be the most beautiful for me.

Teresa

G Free workshops for kids of different ages.

Rosalba

A A diner for the whole community that serves healthy food and information on nutrition.

B I want something for children, like events for special needs children. We want a lot of things but the most important is the future of education among youth. sobretodo su educación (activities and teachers).

Marcela

F An excellent idea to use a space for the community that will otherwise be wasted when it can be used for a good purpose for our community. To be used for entitlements, immigrants, healthcare and any other services that will benefit the community

Edey

G That it be a seedbed of values in children or young people.

A School for children and help center for older people..

Angel

B For children and adults to have a space to be, talk, study or have a cup of coffee... more so in the spring that we all go out. I imagine a beautiful space, with flowers, trees and modern design. An open space.

Eufracia

F I imagine... games for my children and the children of Sunset Park

Martha

G Swimming center for kids.

Josefina

A A space to help kids with homework.

Maria

B A recreational park for children. An open space with places to sit and with plenty of green. With activities for children.

Gladys

C A recreational center for children

D A recreational center for loved ones with special needs.

Britney (Visión Futuro)

E I imagine a center that supports children in school work.

Maria, Mexico

F Community center for youth and adults

Mary

G After school programs for many and also support programs for parents. But especially entertainment programs for young people instead of being on the street. Writing and reading clubs.

Alexandra

A Keep the police there so that the kids will be safer.

Lili

B We need English learning support and other classes to begin working in some fields, any type of information.

C Tutorials for children and teens.

D A museum featuring children’s art.

Yesenia

E Activities and crafts workshops for children during winter.

Angela

F English classes, job training, construction. Support for adults.

Jovenes de la comunidad

G A space for kids to gather after school, for homework support and during school breaks.

Lisette Arnaud-Heri (Sunset Park)

A Plant some cherry blossoms, improve cleanliness of public toilets, manage homelessness , increased security at night, noise control, Trader Joes, improve micromobility management (bicycles, motorcycles)

B English language learning and IT skills for kids. Support in job search and education to be able to improve on an individual level.

José Piñeiro

C Playgrounds & play spaces for children

D Help for the elderly to search for jobs because the agencies do not consider them. Because I like to work but not be exploited.

Maria Bolaños

E A safe inclusive space for everyone

Ben, Lauren + Eli

F Animal clinic, resources for pet owners, community residents

G Opportunities to create jobs in the community. Educational and vocational programs..

Johny

A A school for English language learning for children and adults, and a recreational center for children (arts & crafts). Also a help center for immigrants to get work..

Juan Calaby

B It should be a space for children and adults to read and educate themselves. Tutorials for children and teens.

Grecia Rodriguez

C Hospital.

D Space where single mothers that can’t read can learn how to do so to guide their children in an environment where they feel included and listened to.

Marina Rodriguez

E I would like an education center for girls with vocabulary to understand more.

Oswaldo Mendez

F A space that offers art and technology activities for young people and the elderly. With programs that keep young people off drugs

Ceonila

G Community space help children teach their mothers values, respect, tolerance, love.

Yesenia Cardozo

A An exhibition and cultural exchange center

Jaime Ramirez

B A space that tends to special needs children — and fosters inclusive learning.

Paola

C Investing in everyday life skills & creating synergies across the boards allocating communal & individual success

D Place where children can play and where they can learn art, culture, and dance techniques.

Enma E School

F Center for kids’ mental health awareness. Center for mental health awareness of children, youth and adults. Unite the community and connect the neighbors with specialists.

Carla Trujillo

G A gamer room, a playground, a nail salon for girls and a spa for grownups, games for babies and a room for eating and to learn to cook.

Preliminary findings

Immigrant needs are at the center of the imagination that residents have for community spaces. These can take many different forms, but at their center, all of these are in search of support systems and community services that will help with the many obstacles immigrants face when in a new country: English lessons, tax assistance, housing and legal counseling, job search, healthcare access, worker’s rights, etc.

“A community center that provides help with housing issues, health insurance, etc. Where there are people who speak your language and some feel welcome.”

Olga Hernandez

There is a strong desire to provide better living conditions for the children and future generations of Sunset Park. Whether it’s in the search for afterschool programs, play spaces, or recreational activities, children were at the center of these desires. Many parents strongly stated that providing a better quality of life was the first and foremost priority, above all else, and that this was the reason they immigrated from their countries. The desire to give their children what their parents didn’t (or couldn’t) give them underlies all these statements.

Even when parents desired some resource or service for adults, it would be in order to better provide for their children, stating things like “I want to learn to read and write so I can help my children with schoolwork”, or “I did all of this for them, so I can give them more than what my parents gave me”.

“A recreation center for kids, and arts center would be great because there are not a lot of summer programs. Storytelling time and other activities. I imagine tables, children sitting and professionals teaching. All of this to connect with their emotions, providing dance classes. They should have everything they need to reach their potential.”

Silvia & Veronica

School and learning support is a strong concern in the neighborhood. Parents have a lot of concerns about their children receiving high quality education as a means of social mobility, which is why after school programs and learning centers are heavily featured in the desires of the neighborhood.

”A space for kids to gather after school, for homework support and during school breaks“

Lisette Arnaud-Heri

There is a vision for better public facilities and street aesthetics in the neighborhood. Many participants imagine green, open spaces, public playgrounds, spaces for recreation. Children are usually at the center of this envisioning: parents and families see a strong need for community spaces where children can play, learn, make, dance, run. In the general population, there is a need for spaces where people can be, where they can feel comforted, safe and welcomed. This becomes especially important with immigrant communities, where people often feel invisible and left out.

Adult literacy and English proficiency is a frequent concern among the participants, as many of them didn’t receive the necessary proper education and now have trouble accessing public resources and services and navigating life in the U.S. in general (filing taxes, finding jobs, applying for citizenship/residency, etc).

“A recreational park for children. An open space with places to sit and with plenty of green. With activities for children.”

Gladys

“Give classes to immigrant people to learn english that struggle for free.”

People in Sunset Park acknowledge that there is a problem with teen and youth involvement in street crime. There is a need for spaces that help keep youths “off the streets”, and an idea that the creation of community spaces where they can go to spend time with their peers and their community might help with curving this trend.

Anonymous “It’s good to have a space where kids can go, so they stay out of the streets. A space like a library.”

Anonymous

Analysis

Most people mentioned more than one program. The percentage of each topic is representative of the percent of responses that contained these elements. Parent/Single Mother Services/Domestic Violence 10% (8)

33%

62% (51)

31.7%

Envisioning a Community for All

The research phase of the participatory-action research process conducted by Voces Ciudadanas and the Design and Urban Ecologies (DUE) graduate program from January to March raised valuable insights for the design phase of the project. Using various traditional, participatory and creative methodologies such as surveys, social mapping, oral history, and radical listening, the voices of residents, community leaders, civic groups and community orgaizations were assembled into a collective vision on how to transform the space. Overwhelmingly, the community imagined a space for education, recreation, arts, and leisure for all ages. The resulting collective vision shaped the proposal for a new program and organization in the design phase of the project which took place from March to May.

The proposals were shared and discussed at a community assembly on March 25th at Voces Ciudadanas, an online community forum on April 13th, and through individual informal conversations with community members. The goal of such discussions was to arrive at a program and spatial design that would reflect the community’s priorities, namely their desire for a collective management model to steward a transgenerational community space that unites and empowers the community.

DUE and community participants translated these complex desires into a multiuse community space run by the community, for the community to ensure local values and principles rooted in cooperation, solidarity and mutual aid stay at the hearth of this community space —Sunset Park’s Place for Arts, Activism, Culture, and Enjoyment (SPAACE).

The name, SPAACE - Sunset Park Place for Art, Activism, Culture, and Enjoyment - reflects the flexibility of the place and the range of the activities it can support. SPAACE aims to celebrate Sunset Park’s cultural diversity and embody its community’s values. A space is both a physical location and the potential of collective imagination. A space, like a canvas, can be drafted. SPAACE can serve different purposes at different times. It accommodates community members of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. SPAACE fosters a culture of inclusivity, where the growing Asian and Latinx communities can find common ground and celebrate each other’s legacies. It aims to be a place that recognizes people’s knowledge and agency to preserve the immigrant and working-class character of Sunset Park and to shape the future for the new generations to come.

Defining a Possible Community Program

features (modalities)

The community program sought to address three important aspects that the participatory-action research process revealed.

First, the scarcity of community, organizing, and recreational spaces in the neighborhood, particularly during the winter months, that could serve people of all ages.

Second, the need for a space that unites and empowers the Sunset Park community while celebrating its diversity and cultures through art, activism, and creative practices.

Lastly, the valuable popular knowledge and collective power across the solidarity networks that exist in the community which can be assembled in a space for the benefit of all and produce a distributed impact in Sunset Park.

Proposed Community Program

During the first three months of the participatory-action research process, a common language emerged around the collective imaginings for the new community space. Many people expressed a desire for knowledge sharing, exchange, and education. Arts and culture programming also emerged as central desires. Immigrants, undocumented individuals, and language orientation were also mentioned. Employment and housing resources were requested, as well as after school programs for youth and children to craft stories and entertain each other. Accessibility, openness, and intergenerational gathering were also important. Recreation, activity, physical fitness, dancing, organizing, studying, learning, and community. Most importantly, a space for all of this to occur.

As the language channeled into themes, the following program genres formed:

Social & Recreation

Free Leisure Space

Education & Learning Organizing & Activism

Jobs & Vocational Training Events

On March 25th, the research findings were shared in person at Voces Ciudadanas. In this community meeting, a large week schedule was drawn on a wall where community members and organizations could express their visions for the community program using cardboard rectangles with different colors. The cardboard rectangles represented the program genres above.

Additionally, small shapes were used to represent age ranges for the use of the space. The schedule on the board stayed at Voces Ciudadanas for over a week. Community leaders from several organizations were asked to pass by and contribute to the program at their most convenient time. On April 13th, an online community forum was organized with four sessions, two in English and two in Spanish. During the online sessions, community leaders shared their opinions and helped shape the final community program.

The spatial configuration and limitations of the NYPD building also informed the allocation of space for programming. For example, the small walled-off room in the main floor is the perfect size to fit smaller groups for activities such as ESL learning. From this spatial understanding emerged multiple spatial-allocation scenarios.

Those that took part in the community events will see their desires reflected in the final design, and will hopefully take an active role in stewarding the space for years to come.

Program Schedule

Social & Recreation

Karaoke, Arts & Crafts, Tai chi, Dance, Self defence, Movie night, Trivia, Gardening

Organizing & Activism

Assembly, Planning, Committee Meetings, Neighborhood Organizing

Free Leisure Space Origami, Board Games, Book Sharing, Cushion Area, Table Area, Playing Mesh

Education & Learning

Adult Literacy, Youth Mentorship, Afterschool Programs, Tutoring, ESL

Jobs & Vocational Training Events

Book fair, Concert, Exhibition, Art Show, Cultural Festival, Theatre, Dance & Performances

Envisioning Spatial Possibilities and Limitations: A Transformative Multi-use Space

Local Sunset Park organizations and residents identified the types of programs for the space through a series of community participatory activities facilitated by Voces Ciudadanas and DUE. However, these programs have different needs in terms of space, materials, and sound. Designing the program schedule therefore required taking into account different considerations. The space is divided into different sections that can be used in a multitude of ways to cater to different wants.

Existing Space

Lot Area: 20000 sq ft / 1860 m2

Gross Floor Area: 44625 sq ft / 4145 m2

*Note: All the proposed scenarios are tenativeand will require a deeper study according to NYC building code

General Use Principles

The floorplans in the following pages demonstrate various ways that the space could be used at different times of day, according to the proposed program schedule. It is based on the general principles of dividing the space by volume levels and types of work.

Monday to Friday (Morning)

GROUPS THAT OFFER

Leisure activities, athletic and sports for fun, community building and engaging seniors & adults

GROUPS THAT OFFER

Skill-building classes, mentorship sessions and hobby lessons to empower adults

Office/Storage

planters planters planters planters planters

Seniors & Adults

Recreational

Seniors & Adults

Educational

OR

Seniors & Adults

Job Training

Toddlers

Kid-Friendly

Multi-Use

planters planters planters planters planters

Monday to Friday (Afternoon)

GROUPS THAT OFFER

After-school programming, peer-topeer mentorship and other forms of children & youth education

Office/Storage

GROUPS THAT OFFER

Fun recreational activities, physical sports and hobbies that are catered to youth and children

planters planters planters planters planters

Children & Youth

Toddlers

Children & Youth

Educational

Recreational dance/ taichi/ zumba/ yoga/ gardening/ arts & crafts/ storytelling/ womens' circle/self- defense class mentorship/ tutoring

OR

Children & Youth

Organizing

Kid-Friendly

Multi-Use

planters planters planters planters planters

GROUPS THAT OFFER

Organizing, advocacy work that enables youth and children to get involved and have a say in the community

Monday to Thursday (Evening)

GROUPS THAT OFFER Advocacy and tenant organizing, campaign meetings, assemblies, immigrant services

GROUPS THAT OFFER Vocational training, skill building, ESL, OCHA and other forms of job training for adults and seniors

Seniors & Adults

Job Training

Adults & Youth

Organizing

planters planters planters planters planters

planters planters planters planters planters

Sunday (Afternoon)

GROUPS THAT OFFER

Organizing, advocacy work that enables youth and children to get involved and have a say in the community

Office/Storage

Children & Youth

Organizing

Children & Youth

Recreational

GROUPS THAT OFFER

Fun recreational activities, physical sports and hobbies that are aimed for youth and children

announcements

Toddlers

Kid-Friendly

Multi-Use

planters planters planters planters planters

planters planters planters planters planters

Office/Storage

INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS THAT HOST

Private and/or public events including movie screenings, small-scale performances, trivia nights, flea markets, school fairs and more.

Approximately 60 pax

Event

concerts/ theatre/ movie nights/ karaoke night/ trivia night/ bingo night/ dance & performances/ fair/ Event prep space/ merch table

announcements

Toddlers

Kid-Friendly

planters planters planters planters planters

planters planters planters planters planters

Small-Scale Events

INDIVIDUALS/GROUPS THAT HOST

Other activities could happen concurrently within the room

Smaller-scale private and/or public events including exhibitions, book fairs, cultural celebrations, parties and more. Approximately 30 pax

Event exhibition/ art show/ book fair/ cultural festival/ schoolrelated event/ PTA

planters planters planters planters planters

planters planters planters planters planters

Spatial Visualizations

The space consists of three areas:

(A) the main room including the children’s corner

(B) the small room within the main area

(C) the space used as an office by the community board

Modular furniture can be used to subdivide and configure the space to serve different purposes. Longterm possibilities are also shown, including building a climbing wall and removing the small room to make the main area larger.

The design of the modular furniture units is inspired by the work of two studios, Estudio SIC and TPX (Todo por la Praxis). Similarly, the scaffolding used in the gallery event is inspired by another studio, Raumlabor.

The height of the interior space could be taken advantage of by installing a mezzanine. This example shows a slide connecting the mezzanine to the children’s area.

Saturday Evening - Event & Meeting

In this configuration, the main space is used for a community event, where a modular stage has been assembled. The kids’ space has been arranged for them to sit down. The outer room holds two tables as if for a meeting.

This space can be used as storage or for additional space for the event.

Tables can be moved and rotated to produce larger surfaces of different shapes.

The stage can be assembled and disassembled after use.

A new doorway can be added to improve circulation.

Sits

Saturday Morning - Training & Meeting

Room A is divided with portable planter-shelves. One section of this room is configured for a job training event using two large tables. Benches can be stacked or used individually to create various seating configurations. The tables in the kids’ area have been arranged into one large table. Room B is arranged as a meeting space with triangular tables formed into a circle.

Sits 12

Triangular tables can be angled to create a larger circular table.

Trapezoid shaped tables can be separated and moved between rooms.

Sits 12

Tables in the kids’ area can be moved and rotated to create tables of different, playful shapes.

Sits 20

Benches can be left unstacked to create alternative seating options.

Sits 18

Planter-shelves can be used as dividers.

Sits 9

Tuesday Morning - Recreation, Meeting, Class

Room A has been arranged for a physically active recreational event. There is still space for two tables at which people can work. Room B holds a table and chairs for a meeting. Room C is set up for a class.

15 Standing

Open space could be used for physical activities such as Zumba or taichi.

Sits 12

Classroom seating arrangement for training and educational classes.

Sits 9

Sits 12

Sits 18

Friday Evening - Large Event & Workspace

The stage has been moved to extend its width. Room B can still be used as storage and additional support for event logistics. Room C can be utilized as co-working space during events.

This space can be used to support the event.

Sits 48

Alternative configuration of event space.

Sits 12

Seating arrangement for co-working, flexible use

Sunday Afternoon - Gallery Event

In this configuration the space has been designed to hold gallery events, showcasing local artist work. The children’s area would also display artwork created by them. Room C can still be used as a meeting place during event.

Triangular tables can be arranged into display stands.

Scaffolding can be used to make a temporary gallery wall.

Sits 18

This room can still be used as a work or meeting place.

Sits

Benches can be placed to give people a place to rest while they look at art work.

Potential Future Large Event

In this configuration Room B has been removed, creating a space to hold larger events. Room C can be used as additional support like selling merchandise, food, beverages etc.

In the future, room B can be removed to make the main room larger.

Tables can be used for merchandizing related to the event.

A large stage can be made from more units of the modular stage shown earlier.

Developing a Stewardship Model

Shared stewardship is a principle based on responsible allocation, management and oversight of resources to create sustainable value for the community, the environment and society at large.

This proposed management model conceptualizes the formation of a Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with shared stewardship as a key principle, while promoting a shared sense of responsibility and care for the community space. The suggested model is nonhierachical and prioritizes collective decision-making over concentrated power.

A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) is suggested as a legal framework considering its benefits while proposing a model that strives to imagine a framework that is more horizontal and transparent.

Transitions upon formation of the Non Profit Organization

MEMBERS EXECUTIVES

Why the need for external experts?

• These experts are positioned to not have a stake in any particular group within Sunset Park. Their expertise regarding these arenas go beyond the nonprofit realm

• Comprised by people who have demonstrated impact or expertise in their specific field

Recreational &Communication Outreach

ManagementFacilities&

Resident members can sign up for a weekly or monthly paid (tiered) membership, or a free basic one with only access to the space.

Available for

Individuals & Family

Individual Weekly pass: 4 hours

Family Weekly pass: 8 hours

Individual Monthly pass: 16 hours

Family Monthly pass +: 32 hours

Unlimited pass: Unlimited hours

X HOUR OF VOLUNTEERING

= X HOUR OF PROGRAMMING

Alternatively, members can volunteer and contribute time and work to the space for access to programing

Organization

Education, Training & Organization

Member organizations contribute to the space or its activities in some way. This includes, but is not limited to: working for the space, running programs, being part of the board, and organizing activities. Organizers that are actively involved in programming have individual resident membership.

Open

Finance&Legal

Philanthropist

Members contribute a fixed amount per month and have free access to services, activities and public events. Outreach will be done yearly to secure donations.

Open Membership provides open access to the space at no cost (not including ticketed programming or events).

4 types of memberships available: Resident, Organization, Open and Philanthropist

These memberships provide access to classes and programming. Everyone is welcome to access the space freely. The model is based on membership to create a sense of care and community for the space.

Strengths

• Distributed decision-making and responsibilities, and shared accountability.

• The organization is local and community-led.

• Collective stewardship of the program and space.

• Nonprofits are not subjected to taxes.

• Nonprofit status provides access to certain (although limited) funding streams that private entities cannot use.

Challenges

• Competition between nonprofit organizations for funding and involvement.

• Shortage of organizations for certain programs.

• Shortage of volunteers.

• Steady and sufficient flow of funding.

• Working with large, diverse groups makes achieving consensus challenging.

• Achieving goals and making decisions can be challenging with a decentralized structure.

Steering Group

A Steering Group is an entity formed at the beginning of the creation of an organization that aims to shape and bring the organization into being.

It is composed of interested community volunteers, some of whom are already part of other organizations themselves, who identify with the organization’s mission and wish to have a role in its creation. Members are identified based on their existing interests and commitment to Sunset Park.

Executives

The Executive Board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the organization. They are comprised of members from the Board of Directors that take on additional responsibilities.

Benefits

• Making and influencing changes at a larger scale in the community and issues

• More involved in the community, establishing partnerships

• Build relationships and leadership skills

• Be part of a change in the community

• Help address social inequality

• Being a part of a horizontal, participatory team and project

Responsibilities

• President

Responsible for running board meetings and for signing documents.

• Vice President

Responsible for some of the president’s duties as well as taking over for them when they are sick or unable to perform their duties.

• Treasurer Financial administration of grants, events, and other operational costs.

• Secretary Organizes meetings and communicates organizational updates to other members.

Committees

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is a body that implements and enacts decisions made by members. They represents the organization legally and in public.

Benefits

• Play an influential role in the organization

• Increased visibility in the community

• Shape the organization’s mission and goals

• Free Resident membership for them and their immediate family

• Establish more relationships with other community stakeholders, businesses and organizations

• Shape a more just neighborhood

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the continuation of the organization

• Processing voting results into agendas.

• Decision-making processes

• Attend meetings

• Oversee the budget

• Listening to community

A committee is a body of one or more persons that coordinates programatic activities with the board. They deal with specific organizational needs.

Benefits

• Shapes programming that serves the community

• Be directly involved with members of the public

• Free Resident membership for them and their immediate family

• Contribute in shaping a more just neighborhood

Responsibilities

• Digest and communicate information to the public

• Establish committee agenda

• Meeting outside of monthly meetings to execute tasks & responsibilities of specific agendas.

• Enact decisions made by the board

• Advance plans and programming

• Partner with community-based organizations to execute programming

Diversified Financial Model

In order to establish a sustainable long-term plan for the community space, this proposal focuses on diversifying revenue streams and supporting the local community. This includes various income streams such as fundraising, grants, sponsorships, donations, and tiered membership. Leveraging the strengths of the community can foster opportunities for involvement and collaboration for the success of the community space. This proposal aims to develop a more reliable source of income while fostering a sense of ownership within the community.

Staff

These are job positions that would ideally be filled in order to operate and maintain SPAACE. Initially, these roles could be filled on a part-time basis or by outsourcing to third-party organizations.

Director

Organizes and executes plans to achieve the organization’s goals. Is the public-facing representative of the organization.

Coordinator

Develops and implements operational strategies agreed upon. Monitors performance and operational goals, oversees day-to-day operations.

Accounting/Bookkeeping

Oversees all financial operations: develops and manages budgets for organization, ensures that resources are allocated appropriately, manages payroll, taxes, etc.

Administrator

Manages meetings, schedules and sets agendas. Keeps track of decisions/ resolutions, and provides input and support on strategic planning.

Legal

Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. Is responsible for legal documents, communicates with regulatory agencies, and represents the organization in legal matters.

Funding & Grantwriting

Develops and executes fundraising strategies, identifies funding sources, creates fundraising events and grant proposals.

OPERATIONAL

Membership Dues

Aside from sweat equity, Resident and Open members can access classes by purchasing monthly/weekly passes. Philanthropist members contribute fixed amounts per month in exchange for free access to services, activities and public events.

Donations

Charitable gifts of cash and assets from members of the public and businesses

Event Rentals

Individuals and organizations can rent the entire space or part of the space for a fee

Fundraisers

Local fundraising activities such as donation drives and events can be conducted in order to promote the circulation of money within the community

Fundraisers

LOCAL NON-LOCAL

Fundraising activities such as crowdfunding can be conducted in order to attract investment through collaborative efforts beyond Sunset Park Grants

There are a variety of grants available at the federal, city and state level. Other options may include Philanthropist foundations and charitable organizations.

Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships can bring in additional revenue for their fundraising events and campaigns without additional overhead or costs.

Salaries

Paid to staff directly hired by the organization

Contractor

Organizations that run the programming will receive most of the earnings from the program.

Maintenance

For general upkeep of the physical space and operations including repairs, the cost of electricity and internet/phone services.

Communications

Building and maintaining communication strategies; social media management, website development and printing materials.

Insurance

Protection against risks and liabilities that may occur. Based on expert advice.

Supplies & Equipment

Purchasing workshop materials and items that are needed for the space. Could be obtained via donations.

NON-RECURRING

Legal Advisory

Common legal advisory needs for non-profit organizations may include tax laws, labor laws, compliance, contractual agreements and risk management.

Capital Improvements

Significant infrastructural changes such as additions, renovations and replacements

Others

Expenses that do not fall under any specific category and not related to the organizations core services Might vary and be unexpected.

Decision-Making Processes

THESE ARE THREE POSSIBLE WAYS of making decisions:

1) voting based on majority,

2) ranked choice voting in which people rank their preferences and the most preferred option is chosen even if it is not necessarily the majority’s first choice,

3) consensus in which everyone must come to an agreement.

Each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages as laid out below. While not all decisions need to be made in the same way, they should all seek to be as democratic as possible and to involve as many of those who are impacted by the decisions as possible.

When should we use each method?

Decisions can be made through various ways. Although consensus is generally preferred, not all decisions require this involved process. In order to select the right method, consider the gravity of the decision, its impact on the organization and its urgency. Not everyone may need to participate in these processes.

Consensus should be the default method of decisionmaking within the Board. Other non-critical decisions may not need community approval and can be based on the assumption of competency.

How about a quorum?

The quorum, the minimum number of people required for a decision (voting or consensus) to be valid, will change based on the type of decision being made. The more people the decision affects, the larger the quorum must be. In some decisions only the Board of Directors will need to approve. In major decisions, such as concerning infrastructural changes, which affect more members, a larger quorum will be necessary. At least two-thirds of the people affected should be involved in every decision.

Visualizing Participatory Action-Research Process and Following Steps

Planning inclusively requires many steps. The following is a detailed plan outlining the major steps, activities and milestones that have been completed in the past and are still required in the future to create the community space.

The people who will benefit and be most affected must be involved in the planning process. Combining popular and academic knowledges, participatory-action research values the importance of knowledge oriented towards transforming situations of inequality while recognizing the agency of people as full actors in the research and intervention processes.

This campaign spans over a year and involves multiple participants. Some phases have more intensive steps than others and people’s contributions are the key throughout the strategy. Each phase has been carefully planned. This represents a robust 10-Phase plan for a new community program to repurpose the Sunset Park Interim Public Library space.

JUN

PHASE 1

Building & Sharing Knowledge

PHASE 2

Envisioning & Proposing

PHASE 3

Strategizing & Structuring

PHASE 4

Presenting to City Agencies

PHASE 5

Assembling

Leadership & Collaborators

PHASE 6

Grounds of Agreement

PHASE 7

Financing & Fundraising

PHASE 8

Assessing & Repurposing

Space

PHASE 9

PHASE 10

Collecting Local Visions

SEP - DEC JAN 2023 FEB

Ground Work

Feb 4

Feb 18 & 19

Voces Ciudadanas Community Survey

1st meeting with NYPD & city agencies

Initial quantitative, qualitative & participatory research

Participatory-Action Research

Beginning of Oral History Project

Sociogram to visualize collaborators & supporters

Imagining Community Space

Development of research report & community program scenarios based on community input

Mar 25:

Community organizations & residents continue give feedback

Proposal of possible community program & spatial scenarios

Apr 13: Online Community Forum

Revisions based on community feedback & space limitations

Modeling management & Financial models

Visualization of programming & spatial organization

May 13:

MAY 13: Community AssemblySharing of Proposal

2nd meeting with NYPD & city agencies

Meeting with local Council Member Alexa Aviles & Assemblymember

Marcela Mitaynes

Formalization of participation by community groups & organizations

Outreach to community groups & organizations

Community meeting to define steering group & collaborators

Formalization of participation by community groups & organizations

Steering Group Formation

• Definition of financial & management models

• Form task force to formalize community programs and those who will run them

Strategies for Fundraising, Sponsorships, and Grant Writing

Form a task force to:

Community Assembly to share research findings & programming Continued on

• organize a summer fundraiser

• raise funds through sponsors and donations for fall

• search and apply for grants in 2024

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

PHASE 4

Building & Sharing Knowledge

Envisioning & Proposing

Strategizing & Structuring

Presenting to City Agencies

PHASE 5

Assembling

Leadership & Collaborators

PHASE 6

Grounds of Agreement

PHASE 7

Financing & Fundraising

PHASE 8

Assessing & Repurposing

Space

PHASE 9

Launching & Iterating

PHASE 10

5-Year Plan

3rd meeting with NYPD & city agencies

Monthly Committee Meeting

Definition of mission and leadership scheme and application of incorporation

Board of Directors Formation Formation of Committees

Commitment agreements with community members, groups, and organizations that will run programs and/or activities

Monthly Board Meeting

4th meeting with NYPD & city agencies

Strategies for Fundraising, Sponsorships & Grant Writing Outreach to potential:

• Sponsors

• Donors

• Volunteers for fundraiser

Fundraiser

Repurposing of the space Partner with design team to:

• Asses space needs

• Create specifications for adaptation of new program

• Create plans for space and furniture

Monthly Committee Meeting

Finalise schedule of programs, courses and activities

Monthly Board Meeting

Secure sponsors and donators for Fall 2023/Spring 2024

Formulate budget

Secure funds for Fall 2023

Monthly Committee Meeting

Programs and activities start

Monthly Board Meeting

Grant writing & fundraising continues

Production of architectural drawings for space and modular furniture

Construction of modular furniture and order of chairs and required equipment for the facilites

Starts publicity of new program and activities across Sunset Park

Interim Sunset Park Public Library Closes Interior adaptation for new program Starts registration

Opening New Community Program

Ideating of 5-Year Plan

This report includes the processes and outcomes related to Phases 1, 2, and 3 encompassing Building & Sharing Knowledge, Envisioning & Proposing, and Strategizing & Structuring, respectively. The outcome of this work will be used in Phase 4: Presenting to City Agencies, a key step in the process where the community’s vision will be shared with public officials and agencies. Involved community leaders, civic groups and community organizations should convene to carry on the work, which includes Phases 5: Assembling Leadership & Collaboration, 6: Grounds of Agreement, 7: Financing & Fundraising, and 8: Assessing & Repurposing the Space.

Consensus will need to be reached on who will head the implementation process, who will stock the committees, and steer the project. In Phase 9, participation will lead ideas from strategy to reality, as the construction of a new community space kicks-off. Lastly, Phase 10 involves the development of a 5-year plan that can only be framed and articulated properly once the programs are running and the distributed leadership of the space has consolidated. The shape of this plan will also depend on the negotiations with the city in relation to the stewardship and ownership of the building.

Conclusion & Long Term Plan

Long Term Plan

A 5-year plan has been envisioned as part of the next steps. This long plan will need to be drafted within a year by all of those residents, civic groups, community organizations, and public agencies already involved in shaping the space as well as new groups inspired and launching new programs and activities for the community. The vision for such a long-term plan will also be shaped by the funding opportunities and the city’s financial aid. No less important will be the agreement with the city concerning the use and stewardship of the NYPD building.

It is unknown to the public how the basement and the second floor of the building —with a gross floor area of 44,625 sq ft— are currently used and the condition of such spaces. For the long-term plan, it would be wise to question the current use of those areas and the potential to transform them into useful spaces for community programs. Those additional spaces could free a significant area in the main hall for large events, such as concerts and exhibitions, and provide public services and community activities urgently needed in Sunset Park.

The long-term vision should also consider a hybrid stewardship model to keep the space as a resource for the community. This could take different forms inspired by the city’s community land trust movement and the cooperative legacy the neighborhood holds in its heart. Over the last decade, efforts promoting these forms of collective ownership and management have proliferated across neighborhoods to prevent public land and buildings from falling into the hands of private real estate developers, ensuring that community needs and priorities are reflected in the use of public properties in perpetuity.

The creation of a hybrid ownership and stewardship model to protect and preserve the building for future generations is something to aim for in the long-term plan, but to be successful, it will need solid foundations and a well-organized and unified community.

The Shared Stewardship Model proposed, with its decentralized structure and collective decision-making focus, establishes those foundations as a positive precedent for the future.